The countdown to Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League semifinals is on and with only three regular rounds remaining, teams are preparing to do battle.
As teams head into round 14 today, Hikurangi, Bay Slayers, Portland and Kaikohe are looking likely to take up the semifinal berths.
However, Moerewa, Takahiwai, Wairoa and
City could possibly scrape into the top four, depending on the next three games' results.
The first round of semifinals on July 30 will feature the third-placed team playing the fourth-placed team at the minor premier's ground, followed by the minor premiers facing off with the second-placed team on the table.
On August 6, the winner of semifinal one will play the loser of the second semifinal ahead of the grand final on August 13 at Jubilee Park, featuring the winners of semifinal two and three.
Today, frontrunners Hikurangi clash with Portland, who are positioned third on the table. This will be a crunch match with both teams in the hunt for the minor premiership. Kick-off is at 1pm, and this match will be followed by Takahiwai's home game against Marist, at 2.30pm.
If the Takahiwai ground is deemed too wet to play on this afternoon, the back-up plan is to shift the double-header to Moerewa.
The second-placed Bay Slayers host Hokianga at Kerikeri, while Otaua host Kaikohe, who are hanging on to fourth spot in the standings.
Wairoa have a home game in Dargaville against City, with both teams determined to get a result to separate them on the table, while Moerewa have the bye, earning them an automatic two points.
All games, with the exception of the Hikurangi versus Portland match, kick off at 2.30pm.
Points after round 13: Hikurangi 24, Bay 22, Portland 20, Kaikohe 18, Moerewa 14, Takahiwai 14, Wairoa 12, City 12, Hokianga 10, Otaua 7, Marist 3.
