Battle for fourth spot rages as teams play catch-up

The battle for the fourth and final play-off spot should be decided in the final round of the Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League competition this weekend.
It has been tight at the top with last year's premiers Takahiwai, on 17 points, slipping into third following a losing streak since the start of June.
Moerewa and Portland are tied at the top on 18 points, while the battle for fourth rages on.
After last weekend's round, Hikurangi, Kaikohe and Bay Slayers were all sitting in fourth on 12 points. However, Hikurangi and City Knights played a catch-up game on Wednesday night which Hikurangi won convincingly, 58-8. They now move ahead  into fourth place with 14 points.
Whangarei City and Districts rugby league president Sonny Hohepa said two more catch-up games were on the cards and would be played after this weekend's round if need be.
"It depends on the point situation and, if it is warranted, then we will play the other games to determine the fourth semifinalist," he said.
Takahiwai and City Knights missed their game recently due to bad weather, while Kaikohe and Bay Slayers also have a game in hand after their round five match was rescheduled.
"We have a meeting on Tuesday [July 30] and once we have sorted any point issues and semifinalists are found, we will choose the venues for the August 1 play-offs - on neutral grounds," Hohepa said.
Meanwhile, the show will go on.  Tomorrow Takahiwai will clash with Moerewa at Takahiwai.
The teams last met in June at Moerewa, where Takahiwai defeated their hosts 28-24 - however, they have not had a victory since.
Takahiwai have been plagued by injury and have lacked that special something which saw them right through to the end last year.
A home game for Takahiwai may provide the boost needed to topple Moerewa, who have been steadily climbing their way up the ladder during the second round.
Hikurangi's home clash with Wairoa will be the crunch match - if the Bulls gather the same winning momentum they collected late in round two, they may just muster enough to stop Hikurangi in their tracks.
However, Hikurangi will be hard to beat at home.
If Hikurangi win they will stay clear in fourth spot, but if Wairoa beats them, depending what happens in the remaining matches, the games in hand will need to be contested early next week.
Bay Slayers go up against City Knights at Otangarei, while frontrunners Portland play Kaikohe at Kaikohe in what is destined to be a close encounter, with Kaikohe desperately chasing a win and two points to bump them up the standings.
Provisional Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League standings:
Moerewa; 18, Portland; 18
Takahiwai; 17
Hikurangi; 14
Bay Slayers; 12, Kaikohe; 12
Wairoa; 9
City Knights; 0
(Win= two points, draw = one point).