Their 34-22 win over Southern on Saturday kept Prebbleton’s fading quarter-final hopes alive after a difficult stretch of three straight defeats.
“As far as I’m aware we have a sliver of a chance of getting through to the top four, we’ve just got to win everything from here and hope a few other things go our way,” Murgatroyd said.
“It was definitely much needed, after three losses in a row it was nice to change that up.”
Prebbleton scored six tries in the win, with wing Dan Laughton crossing twice, while Riley Steel, Lachie Hlaca, Josh Charlton and Edward Sunia also bagged tries.
Front-rower Steve Lees-Godwin, who has played more than 200 division 1 matches, made his return to the side after retiring last year, coming off the bench in the second half.
Murgatroyd said Saturday’s clash with Darfield – third in the pool despite a 56-19 loss to Waihora last weekend – would be another stern test.
“(Their) result might give them a bit of fire in the belly for this weekend.
“We’ve had some really good hit-outs against them in recent years. Last year we beat them in the round robin and then a week later lost to them in the semi-final.
“It’s one of those games which you’ve got to be pretty well prepared for and put in a big shift.”
The teams will contest the Harry Pankhurst Memorial Trophy, named after former Darfield player Harry Pankhurst, who died in 2023. The trophy was donated by his family last year to be played for between Darfield and Prebbleton.
“He was actually a friend of mine,” Murgatroyd said.
“It’s really important to both clubs.”
Their win over Darfield on club day on Saturday was their fifth in as many games in the competition, picking up a bonus point in each.
Wing Adam Gualter scored his second hat-trick of the season and lined up alongside brothers Wil and George for the first time since 2019. George also scored a try.
In pool B, Southbridge are in a similar position to Prebbleton as they try to push their way into the quarter-final places.
Their 40-15 win over Lincoln on Saturday lifted them to sixth, just three points outside the top four.
Lincoln and West Melton, in seventh and eighth, are mathematically a chance, but each need a long list of results to go their way to make the top four.
Southbridge play third-place Ashley at home this weekend and will overtake them with a victory, while West Melton host second-place Rakaia and Lincoln have a bye.
COMBINED COUNTRY ROUND 7 (3PM SAT)
- Darfield v Prebbleton, Darfield Domain Waihora v Hurunui, Rhodes Park
- West Melton v Rakaia, West Melton Domain
- Southbridge v Ashley, Southbridge Domain
- Bye: Lincoln
Points: Pool A: Waihora 25; Glenmark 19; Darfield 17; Methven 15; Prebbleton 12; Southern 12; Oxford 9; Hurunui 6 Pool B: (games played): Kaiapoi 25 (5); Rakaia 24 (6); Ashley 17 (5); Celtic 17 (5); Ohoka 16 (5); Southbridge 14 (5); Lincoln 10 (6); West Melton 9 (5); Saracens 1 (6)
