Miners Cup up for grabs this afternoon
With Matariki making this a long weekend, the southern region features a rare Friday afternoon spectacle in Kaitangata.
The Crescent Coal Miners host Lawrence with the Miners Cup on the line.
The top four is such a close contest that Crescent can momentarily jump up to second place for 24 hours with a win.
Lawrence will not die wondering and are still due a win, which they have sought admirably all season.
West Taieri host Clutha in a top-of-the-table battle at Outram with the Speight's Jug and McIntosh Cup on the line in what will be a war of attrition.
Clutha have built an almost unassailable lead at the top of the table but will want to win all the same and keep the Pigs well behind them.
Since returning from injury, West Taieri first five Callum Smeaton has been driving the team around the park well and will have a big say in the outcome of this clash.
Toko celebrate their club day this weekend with what should be a competitive day of footy.
The Toko Axemen host Owaka with the Dean Miller and Reg Phillips memorial trophies on the line.
Both sides lost last weekend and will be frothing to right the wrongs of previous matches.
Toko will want to be pushing back into home semifinal contention; Owaka will be hoping to get 22 players on the field. Injuries and absences are a real issue.
Heriot host Clutha Valley for the Trevor Peters Memorial as both sides make one last effort to finish in the top four.
The teams are fifth and sixth respectively with the loser of this match certain of a bottom-four spot. The victor still has a mathematical chance of semifinal footy.
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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
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The Southern Region semifinalists have been locked in with two rounds remaining of the regular season. After last weekend's results, Clutha, West Taieri, Toko and Crescent will all finish inside the top four. There is plenty of shuffle room though, as any side can still finish with a home semi spot. This weekend has the top four sides playing among themselves in what should be two fantastic encounters. First-placed Clutha host fourth-placed Crescent in a match-up that does not have to provide any extra motivation. The storied rivals will add another chapter to their history this weekend with the Centennial Cup and some extremely important competition points on the line. Crescent showed last weekend that when they play to their structure, they are nearly unstoppable. Clutha were defeated for the first time this season last weekend, which makes this match even more tasty. Second-placed West Taieri, still buoyed by their win over Clutha last weekend, head down the road to Milton to do battle with third-placed Toko, with just one point separating the two sides. West Taieri are celebrating three milestones this weekend, the most impressive being that of Dave McNeill, who brings up his 300th match in West Taieri colours in what has been a fantastic career. Toko will need to improve from last weekend if they are to have a sniff in this game and stop what is looking like a West Taieri steamroller that is only gaining momentum. The bottom four teams are also doing internecine battle, with Heriot hosting Owaka and Clutha Valley hosting Lawrence. Heriot and Valley have already locked in home semifinals in the bottom four, but their opponents are not yet set in stone. Owaka and Lawrence have played better rugby than their results suggest this season and will be keen to finish the round robin with a couple of scalps.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
West Taieri win physical game
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Otago Daily Times
19-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Miners Cup up for grabs this afternoon
With Matariki making this a long weekend, the southern region features a rare Friday afternoon spectacle in Kaitangata. The Crescent Coal Miners host Lawrence with the Miners Cup on the line. The top four is such a close contest that Crescent can momentarily jump up to second place for 24 hours with a win. Lawrence will not die wondering and are still due a win, which they have sought admirably all season. West Taieri host Clutha in a top-of-the-table battle at Outram with the Speight's Jug and McIntosh Cup on the line in what will be a war of attrition. Clutha have built an almost unassailable lead at the top of the table but will want to win all the same and keep the Pigs well behind them. Since returning from injury, West Taieri first five Callum Smeaton has been driving the team around the park well and will have a big say in the outcome of this clash. Toko celebrate their club day this weekend with what should be a competitive day of footy. The Toko Axemen host Owaka with the Dean Miller and Reg Phillips memorial trophies on the line. Both sides lost last weekend and will be frothing to right the wrongs of previous matches. Toko will want to be pushing back into home semifinal contention; Owaka will be hoping to get 22 players on the field. Injuries and absences are a real issue. Heriot host Clutha Valley for the Trevor Peters Memorial as both sides make one last effort to finish in the top four. The teams are fifth and sixth respectively with the loser of this match certain of a bottom-four spot. The victor still has a mathematical chance of semifinal footy.
