You would probably have more luck splitting an atom than separating the Dunedin premier women’s semifinalists this weekend.
The competition has been tighter than the red hoops on Augustus Gloop’s skivvy.
Alhambra-Union was able to establish a small buffer.
It won six of its eight round-robin games and qualified top.
But there has been almost nothing between the other three semifinalists.
Dunedin, Big River Country and University all share the same record of four wins and four losses. They have all got five bonus points as well.
Big River and University even have the same "for and against" record. Both teams scored 190 points while conceding 202.
It caused a minor headache for the administrators, who had to take a deep dive in the rule book to figure out who had qualified where.
The outcome was Dunedin finished second and will host Big River at Kettle Park this afternoon, while AU will host the fourth-placed University at Opoho today.
AU manager and backs coach Cathy Charles was hoping her side would avoid University until the final.
University edged the Crazy Horses 32-31 in April, but lost the return game 20-17 recently.
"We finished top and are hoping to make the final," Charles said.
"But we finished top last year and were convincingly beaten in the semifinal. But we do have a good selection of Spirit players, so that is helpful because they’ve got experience."
The Crazy Horses will lean on the likes of prop Eilis Doyle, loose forward Zoe Whatarau and talented Australian halfback Georgia Cormick, who starred for the Otago Spirit last season.
Centre Jamie Church is a strong ball-carrier and fullback Savannah Cleland has an expert eye for space.
University has seasoned lock Julia Gorinski and impressive openside Leah Miles in the pack, and Spirit team-mate Keely Hill will make an impact off the bench when she is thrust into the game. The midfielder is a hard target to bring down.
Dunedin arguably shape as favourites in the other semifinal. But Charles said you "just can’t ever rule Big River out".
It is a gutsy side, led by Spirit hooker Tegan Hollows. She slots in at No 8 for Big River, who beat Dunedin 17-15 at Kettle Park in the last encounter between the two teams.
Dunedin look dangerous in the backs, though. First five Sheree Hume, centre Te Atawhai Campbell and fullback Atawhai Hotene are all threats.
Dunedin Premier
Women’s semifinals
Clutha Valley v Dunedin, Kettle Park, 12.45pm
Alhambra-Union v University, Opoho, 2.45pm
