Rugby: Contest heating up

With three round-robin games remaining in the Dunedin premier competition, three teams - Harbour, Southern and Taieri - are safely through to the semifinals.

University A (44 points) gained the upper hand in its effort to join them. It needed three tries in the final quarter and a penalty on fulltime to beat Taieri 29-28 on Saturday.

The important win saw it bank five points and leapfrog Dunedin (41 points) into fourth place.

Dunedin lost to Southern 25-17 but remains the only other side which can still make the playoffs.

Zingari-Richmond (34 points) is back in sixth place and too far off the pace. Likewise, Kaikorai (31 points) can only play spoiler.

Alhambra-Union (22 points) and Pirates (22 points) have been out of contention for some time, and winless Green Island (4 points) may as well start thinking about next year.

For Dunedin and University A, the next three weeks are crucial.

The students potentially have the easier run.

They play Zingari-Richmond at Montecillo tomorrow and Kaikorai next weekend.

The Colours are fresh from a big win over Pirates and Kaikorai also shapes as a tricky opponent.

University A completes the round robin with a game against Green Island which should be a breeze.

Dunedin plays Kaikorai at Bishopscourt tomorrow and Pirates the following weekend.

But the Sharks have Taieri in the last round and, based on current form, the Eels should be too strong at Peter Johnstone Park.

The battle at the top of the table will probably be decided in the last round when Southern hosts Harbour at Bathgate Park, although Southern has an important match against Taieri tomorrow, which could also have an impact on the final positions.

Taieri first five-eighth Josh Casey will be looking to add to his season haul of 212 points (13 tries, 42 conversions, 21 penalties).

Dunedin's Daniel Soper scored 260 in 1997, which is the most since 1976.

Casey has been named in an Otago Daily Times form XV.

The squad features at least one surprise, with Pirates lock Jared Williams getting the nod.

University A's charge up the competition standings has also been recognised with four players making the paper team.

Club form XV: Tony Ensor, Gavin Stark, Matt Faddes, Tei Walden, Marckis Schaaf, Josh Casey, Kaide Whiting, Charles Elton, Dan Baxter, Dillon Hunt, Jared Williams, Ryan Thompson, George Hendry, Sekonaia T-Pole, Mike Mata'afa.

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