Hutt Aim For Clean Sweep

Round 6 Preview Round six of the Hardham Cup sees Hutt Old Boys Marist take on Poneke away from home in the feature match this weekend. HOBM have remained unbeaten with five from five during the Hardham Cup giving them an outright lead over the competition. Poneke who have only managed to win two games so far will be determined to post their third win at this crucial stage of the Cup. Both teams came away with narrow wins last weekend with HOBM beating OBU 13-10, and Poneke winning 17-13 over MSP.

Poneke head into the clash as the underdogs against a powerful HOBM side, however they have proven capable of producing a convincing performance, when they accounted for Northern United in round three of the competition, winning 31-8. HOBM will be a tougher challenge and won?t make it easy for the Poneke side, who must win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive.

HOBM will do everything they can to prevent an upset at this late stage of the cup, and will no doubt draw on their attacking weapons to ensure a win. Mike Kingsbeer will be hoping to add to his impressive point?s total of 81, while Jonathan Manu and Malakai Kisina will be keen to remain near the top of the try scorers table. Both sides will fight it out as they near the end of the round-robin with the semi?s in sight in two weeks time.

In other games this weekend second place Old Boys University are up against third place Johnsonville, in what could prove to be an interesting match up. Oriental Rongotai plays Petone in front of a home crowd at the Polo Ground on Saturday. At the earlier time of 1.15pm Northern United take on Marist St Pats at Porirua Park. Norths having registered their first win of the competition will be looking to continue their new-found form.