HOBM Set Sights On Norths, While Ories Seek Second Win

Round 4 Preview The feature match for Round four of the Hardham Cup sees top of the table Hutt Old Boys Marist take on winless Northern United. HOBM will be expecting to remain unbeaten and take their fourth win for the Hardham Cup. Norths with nothing to lose at the bottom of the table will be itching to get off the mark and grab their first win. However, HOBM will be eager to take maximum points this weekend in the build up to their encounter against Old Boys-University in Round five. Heading into this week?s round HOBM and OBU are joint leaders with 14 points.

An upset will be no easy task for Norths as HOBM are lethal both up front and out wide. Players such as fullback Mike Kingsbeer, who has shown his kicking ability this season, converting tries and successfully taking penalties from all over the park and livewire halfback Nick Risdon will trouble them. In addition HOBM also have two of the top three try scorers in the competition in centre Malakai Kisina (6 tries) and wing Jonathan Manu (6 tries), both of whom will no doubt be hoping to add to their total on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Johnsonville and Oriental-Rongotai will be looking to capitalise on weaker opposition and grab five points to keep in touch with HOBM and OBU to ensure their places in the semi-finals. Ories In particular will want to bounce back from their two consecutive losses against HOBM (5-10) and OBU (14-26) when they take on winless Marist St Pats at Rugby League Park.

Johnsonville hosts Petone at home at Helston Park, where Petone will be out to emulate their A side, who beat Johnsonville 35-10 in round five of the Swindale Shield. Elsewhere OBU should be far too strong for Poneke in their clash at the Basin Reserve and should make it four from four.