Win will spark Coast revival

A win by East Coast over Thames Valley today could be the first step towards a place in the second division playoffs.

Despite losing their opening two games, East Coast picked up two valuable bonus points.

Victory over a fast-improving Thames Valley at Ruatoria's Whakarua Park - with a bonus point - could result in a dramatic rise up the table.

East Coast are only five points behind fourth-placed Counties-Manukau, who have the bye.

And with Hawkes Bay, North Otago and Nelson Bays expected to win this weekend, the incentive is there for East Coast to give their playoff aspirations a kick-start.

Leaders Nelson Bays travel to bottom side Mid-Canterbury, second-placed Hawkes Bay host lowly Marlborough, and mid-table Manawatu are at home to third-placed North Otago.

In the third division, top-of-the-table South Canterbury should beat Horowhenua-Kapiti at Timaru. One point behind the southerners are Wanganui, who host King Country.

The third-placed and fourth-placed sides, Wairarapa-Bush and Buller, clash in Masterton.

West Coast face the long trip to Gisborne to take on foot-of-the-table Poverty Bay.

- NZPA