With the top three teams — Cromwell, Upper Clutha and Wakatipu — pretty much guaranteed involvement in the semifinals, the race is on to secure the vital fourth spot.
As things stand, Alexandra have 16 points, Arrowtown 12 and Maniototo 10. Matakanui Combined are lagging on two.
Arrowtown were looking good until being docked five points for fielding unregistered players in the 50-22 win over Alexandra at home.
Coach Aidan Winter said his team had not fired since then.
"We could have beaten Maniototo last Saturday, having dealt to them in the first round, but we simply made too many errors.
"We’d break through their defence, then we’d knock on or throw a forward pass. Just too many errors."
If Arrowtown do beat Alexandra, who have won only two of their eight matches this season, they then have reigning champions Upper Clutha and bottom team Matakanui Combined still to play.
Rather remarkably, for a team sitting in fifth position, Arrowtown have scored 37 tries, equal top with Cromwell.
Alexandra still have Cromwell, Matakanui Combined and Maniototo to play, while Maniototo round out their qualifying fixtures against Cromwell, Matakanui Combined, Wakatipu and Alexandra.
At the top of the competition, Cromwell will be seeking their 10th straight victory when they tackle an improving Maniototo at Anderson Park.
Cromwell turned on a stunning performance to come from behind and beat Wakatipu last weekend in a thrilling encounter. With the home advantage again, they should prove too strong for Maniototo, who have won just two of their eight matches.
For once, Cromwell did not rely on goalkicker Brayden Laing’s accurate boot against Wakatipu. He missed all three conversion attempts and a couple of penalty kicks, Cromwell edging out Wakatipu on tries.
Wakatipu have home advantage against Matakanui Combined, who have not registered a win in 2026 but who gave Cromwell a fright two weeks ago before going down 42-30.
Wakatipu captain Rube Peina almost single-handedly salvaged the contest against Cromwell last weekend and his attacking flair and goalkicking prowess should ensure a home victory.
Upper Clutha have the bye.
By Bob Howitt
