Swindale Strugglers OBU Look For Hardham Hat-trick

Round 3 Preview Can Old Boys-University continue their winning form and remain on the top of the Hardham Cup table when they play Oriental-Rongotai at the Polo Ground this weekend? After a winless Swindale Shield OBU have collected maximum points from their opening two Hardham Cup games and a win in round three will see them on track for a strong showing in the playoffs. Hutt Old Boys Marist will also want to remain unbeaten coming up against Petone at the Hutt Recreation Ground, who are even with HOBM on nine points with two wins also. Elsewhere, Johnsonville had their first win of the Hardham Cup last weekend over Poneke and will be after repeat success at Rugby League Park when playing Marist St. Pats, who remain winless so far. In the early game at Kilbirnie Park neither Northern united nor Poneke have had a win and both will be eager to get off the mark when they face off on Saturday. The feature match this weekend is the encounter between Ories and OBU. Despite OBU?s strong showing on the points table, Sevens star Roy Kinikinilau scored two tries for Ories on the way to a convincing 29-9 win when these sides last met in round one of the Swindale Shield. This will work in Ories favour as they try to beat them for the second time - however considering OBU's form of late, which saw them run in eight tries on the way to trouncing Norths last week, they won't be an easy team to come up against. Ories will look to utilize their pace out wide through players such as Kinikinilau and Lote Raikabula, who both can be devastating on attack. Another key match up to watch will be at No.8 where Fale Seve (Ories) and Mike Te Moana (OBU) will lead from the front as always. Look out for a keen battle in the set pieces, particularly at lineout time where both teams possess some agile operators. " Note the earlier kick-off times of 2.15 pm this week due to the All Blacks versus British and Irish Lions test at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night".