The Whangarei and Districts Rugby League for 2008 will go right down to the wire - literally - with the Moerewa Tigers going into Ngawha Prison in the hope of making the playoffs.
Moerewa need to beat Ngawha Saints in the final round of competition to guarantee themselves a place in
the playoffs but Ngawha also want to win to earn the minor premiers title - so the defending champions have it all ahead of them tomorrow.
Moerewa assistant coach James Wilcox said it was difficult to plan for the match with the state of the prison field still a big question mark, with mud and standing water making an open game unlikely.
"It will depend a bit on their field. We hear it is pretty shocking but we can't look on the negative side. We'll go in there with our heads high and take it to them," he said.
The Tigers have a second bite at the cherry - they can still qualify if they lose - if Portland stumble in their final round match against Hikurangi Stags at Portland.
Portland suffered their fifth consecutive loss in their defeat at Kaikohe last week but with a semifinal spot on the line can be expected to stretch the Stags tomorrow.
Takahiwai Warriors will host the Northern Wairoa Bulls tomorrow and will want to keep the pressure on Ngawha for the minor premiers prize should the Saints stumble against the Tigers.
Kaikohe Tigers are also safely through to the playoffs and their match against Marist at Otaika Park will act as a final warm-up before the playoffs with a win likely against Marist, who have fought bravely without too much luck this season.
