LEAGUE Panthers' pack take on Saints

Tomorrow's Whangarei club rugby league competition match between two of the three teams in joint second place, Portland Panthers and Ngawha Saints, is looming as a vital clash.
With the scrap for playoff places likely to go down to the final weekend of the second round, both teams could use some breathing space, and a win will give them that.
Portland became the first team to beat the Saints at the beginning of May, but have been struggling in the lead-up to this weekend's important match.
They took an understrength side to Ohaeawai two weeks ago and were given a lesson by Bay Slayers, before being upset at home by Northern Wairoa last weekend.
Portland's recent dip in the competition ratings has several contributing factors, all of them in the personnel department.
One of the most serious of these - the loss of standoff Jackson Katene, injured in the game at Ohaeawai - may be solved this weekend. The former Hokianga Pioneer's standoff has been a vital component in Portland's rise from cellar dwellers to title contenders this season.
Val McDonald jnr is on his OE and has taken with him a couple of Auckland-based mates who have also appeared for Portland this season.
Another player who has has been travelling up from Auckland to play for the club, Dain Guttenbeil, has also missed a couple of games through a combination of family and work commitments and isn't due back until next week's game against Hikurangi.
Portland need at least one more win - and possibly two from their remaining four fixtures - to earn a place in the playoffs.
The Saints are in the same boat, but given Portland's recent form, they will start as favourites when the game kicks off at the prison tomorrow.
The other team sharing second place on the table, Kaikohe Lions, have another tough mid-northern derby match to get through tomorrow. They line-up against the Bay Slayers, who are finishing the season strongly and will be no pushover at Ohaeawai.
Hikurangi Stags host Northern Wairoa Bulls, needing a win to keep their play-off spot alive. They face a buoyant Bulls side looking for their second successive win.
The final match of the weekend sees competition leaders Takahiwai likely to coast in their match against Marist Brothers at Otaika Park tomorrow. Marist are a spent force this season and are limping towards the off-season so they can rebuild and recruit for next year's competition.
Moerewa Tigers, who have the bye, will be interested spectators this weekend. The current champions are known as slow starters in the contest and they are the most likely team to challenge for the final playoff spot, with four home games still to play in the second round.