The other two top four sides let games slip and will be desperate to regain composure and secure competition points again this weekend.
West Taieri slipped up badly last weekend when they lost to Owaka at Swamp Hen Park.
They were out-passioned by their opposition and could only scrape a losing bonus point from the match. The defending champions are back at home this weekend staring down the barrel of three losses on the trot for the first time ever.
Clutha Valley secured an important win over rivals Clutha last weekend which brought them within two points of both Clutha and West Taieri.
The match between West Taieri and Valley at Outram this weekend has huge ramifications for both the winner and loser.
Owaka was the toast of the town last weekend with their result against West Taieri.
It is back to the drawing board this weekend as the Swamp Hens look to wrestle two trophies away from Milton as they face a rested Toko side who are currently sitting on the same competition points as them.
Crescent managed to pull away from the chasing pack last weekend with a strong win at Lawrence.
The competition leaders are back at home this weekend against winless Heriot and if they turn up with the right mindset it should be a walk in the park.
Clutha host Lawrence on their club day with both sides needing a win for differing reasons.
Clutha need to keep in touch with the leaders and force their way into home semifinal contention. Lawrence is sitting in the middle of a congested bottom five and a win here would push them closer to a home bottom four semifinal, with a top four spot not out of the question.
- By Francis Parker
