Zingari-Richmond winger Jacob Pollock chases down Kaikorai centre Jake Fowler during a Dunedin division 1 game at Montecillo Park on Saturday. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN Taieri have one and a-half hands on the Gallaway Trophy. But Kaikorai could still leapfrog them in the standings and snatch away the silverware if the Eels are upset by Zingari-Richmond in the last round and they beat Green Island at Bishopscourt. Kaikorai (43 points) trail Taieri (48) by five points. That would seem like an unassailable lead going into the final round-robin games. But, because of a quirk of the draw, it is not. You will remember four of the nine teams play one extra game in the second round. That means the other five teams get a bye. And that bye is worth one to five points depending on where you finish in the odds pool. If Kaikorai secure a bonus-point win over Green Island at Bishopscourt, they will also pick up five points for the bye and move to 53 points. Taieri, who will also pick up some points for the bye, can avoid being pipped at the post with a win at Montecillo Park. The top six are set, though. Taieri, Kaikorai, Southern, University, Green Island and Harbour will progress to the playoffs no matter the results. Alhambra-Union have already had a win of sorts this week. Their 38-10 win over Zingari-Richmond in round 10 was rescinded for fielding a non-registered player. But the match committee reversed that decision this week. That means the Broncos have skipped ahead of the Colours at the bottom of the table. That is a good result for Alhambra-Union. They have shown a lot of improvement this season without getting the results. Their 43-41 win over Green Island at Miller Park in round 12 was a gutsy effort and showed they can be competitive and beat teams in the top six. They play Harbour at Watson Park tomorrow. The Hawks pounced late to beat Southern 32-23 at Bathgate Park last weekend. First five Rique Miln had a tremendous game in the mud. He landed a rare drop goal and scored two second-half tries. University snapped a five-game losing streak with a chunky win over Alhambra-Union in their last outing. They host Dunedin, who have been disappointing this year and have not often missed the playoffs. The Kaikorai-Green Island clash shapes as the game of the round. Green Island lost 18-15 to Taieri in a mudbath at Peter Johnstone Park. The game, which was a lottery, had to be shifted to the No5 ground because the condition of the main ground was unsuitable. The game was costly for Taieri, who lost key players Nick Henderson and Matt Whaanga to season-ending injuries. Kaikorai dispatched Zingari-Richmond 64-7 at Montecillo. The defending champions are gathering momentum. adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz
