The top five have split away from the chasing pack and, by the looks of things, won’t be caught. However, five teams can’t all make semifinals.
Fifth-placed Clutha hosts third-placed Heriot this weekend at the Balclutha Showgrounds.
Despite Heriot being two spots above Clutha, it is only two points ahead thanks to a very congested pointy end of the table.
Clutha took a heavy scare last weekend against Owaka before finishing strongly and taking maximum points, while Heriot put Lawrence to the sword and has pundits saying it is perhaps the team to beat this season.
Clutha will be no easy beat, especially in front of what should be a solid club day crowd.
West Taieri had the bye last weekend and relinquished its top spot for the time being.
The Pigs sit four points behind Clutha Valley, which has the bye this weekend.
West Taieri hosts Lawrence and can regain top spot with a win. Lawrence is capable of tipping up the home side but will go in as a large underdog.
Owaka hosts Toko at Swamp Hen Park with two trophies on the line. The Reg Phillips Memorial and Dean Miller Memorial trophies are currently held by Toko, coming off an impressive win over Clinton last weekend.
Owaka showed it is more than capable of beating any side in the competition last weekend when it led Clutha 22-7 with 20 minutes left. However, rugby is an 80-minute game.
Crescent hosts Clinton on club day at Kaitangata. Both sides are in the bottom four and the loser can realistically kiss semifinal footy goodbye. Clinton won the previous fixture between the sides earlier in the season, but something tells me Crescent will be the team to beat.
Written by Francis Parker
