Metro rugby
One of the top five teams, all within five points of each other, will miss out on finishing in the top four, and the lifeline for losing in the first round of the playoffs it brings.
Third-place New Brighton host University in fifth while Marist Albion (fourth) visit Lincoln University (second). Leaders Linwood host High School Old Boys, knowing a bonus-point win will secure top spot.
All of the top five won at the weekend to keep tight to one another, the most impressive being University’s 101-7 thrashing of winless Shirley.
Further down Sydenham’s 28-19 win over Sumner saw them lock up the final playoff spot with a week to spare, and eliminated their opponents. Sydenham, Old Boys and Burnside will join the top five in the playoffs.
Metro premier round 11 (2.45pm Sat)
- Sumner v Shirley, St Leonard’s Square
- Burnside v Sydenham, Burnside Park
- New Brighton v University, Rawhiti Domain
- Belfast v Christchurch, Sheldon Park
- Linwood v HSOB, Tane Norton Park
- Marist Albion v Lincoln Uni, Edgar MacIntosh Park
Points
Linwood 43; Lincoln Uni 42; New Brighton 40; Marist Albion 39; University 38; Burnside 29; HSOB 29; Sydenham 27; Belfast 18; Sumner 18; Christchurch 14; Shirley 0
Southern League
Leaders Cashmere Technical have dropped points for the first time this season, falling one game short of the longest winning run to start a season.
Tech’s streak was capped at 10 by a late equaliser from Nomads’ Angus McIntyre, who scored twice off the bench in their 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Tech still hold a six-point buffer to second-place Ferrymead Bays, who lost 2-0 to Northern. Tech and Bays meet at Garrick Park on Saturday.
Christchurch United have been bolstered by several South Island United players from the OFC Pro League players for the remainder of the season, among them midfielder Rovu Boyers who scored a hat-trick in their 4-1 win over Selwyn United on Saturday, and Charlie Beale, who was captain.
United play away to Nomads on Saturday.
Southern League round 12
- Selwyn Utd v Coastal Spirit, Foster Park, 10am Sat
- Nomads v Chch Utd, Tulett Park, 2.45pm Sat
- Cashmere Tech v Ferrymead Bays, Garrick Park, 2.45pm Sat
Points
Cashmere Tech 31; Ferrymead Bays 25; Nomads 20; Coastal Spirit 19; Northern 16; Nelson Suburbs 15; Christchurch Utd 11; Dunedin 10; Selwyn Utd 7; Wānaka 6
CRL Premiership
Linwood Keas and Eastern Eagles have formed a stranglehold on the top two spots in the CRL Premiership.
The defending champion Keas, who are unbeaten, have a four point lead on Eastern, who themselves are four points ahead of third-place Greymouth after wins over Riccarton (42-8) and Halswell (30-12) respectively. Greymouth beat last-place Hornby 28-26.
Linwood host Halswell on Saturday while Eastern make the trip away to play Greymouth, and Riccarton host Papanui.
CRL Premiership round 11 (2.45pm Sat)
- Riccarton v Papanui, Crosbie Park
- Greymouth v Eastern, Wingham Park
- Halswell v Linwood, Halswell Domain
- Bye: Hornby
Points
Linwood 20; Eastern 16; Greymouth 12; Riccarton 10; Halswell 10; Papanui 8; Hornby 4
