Rugby finals expected to be close

The Marlborough premier and division one finals will be the focus of this weekend’s sporting activities for the rugby fraternity.

Central have teams in both of Saturday afternoon's finals.

In the premier decider the Blues, vying for back-to-back titles come up against Renwick, who have their sights well and truly set on picking up the 106-year-old club’s first premier title.

When the teams first met, in the Tasman Trophy round, Central prevailed 53-28 but the second time they faced off, on July 10, Central scraped home 17-14, the latter match a more likely indication of the battle in store.

The premier final kicks off on Lansdowne Park 3 at 3pm.

Central will go into the division two final as favourites after stringing together a run of victories in the early part of their season. However, their opponents, Awatere, have continued to improve as the competition has progressed and will be a handful for the Blues. The last time the teams met the Tussocks prevailed 22-17, although Central won 31-12 in their first encounter.

The MBC First XV are on the road, playing their final round robin match against Lincoln Combined. Although well out of top four contention, MBC need a win to maintain their position in the second echelon and eighth place. A series of play-off matches in each section will follow to decide final placings.

On Sunday, at 12.05pm the Tasman Mako women play Northland in Motueka, while the Mako men begin their quest for a three-peat against Bay of Plenty in Tauranga, kick-off 2.05pm

Football

Rangers AFC continue their battle to stay on top of the Nelson division one men’s league tomorrow, travelling to Tahunanui to take on Tahuna at 3pm.

BV Bullets, who play in the Nelson women’s division one league, meet FC Nelson at A&P Park, kick-off 3pm also.

In the local division one competition Call Care Trojans, winners last week, play Central Wolves while Rangers Development meet Central Buccaneers. Both games are at A&P Park, starting at 2.30pm.

In division two BV masters meet Call Care Hotspurs at Atthletic Park and Central Privateers play Rangers Clubs of Marlborough at A&P Park. Both games begin at 2.30pm.

Rangers Masters play Picton at Athletic Park in division three, while Call Care Spartans tackle Redwood at A&P. Both matches are scheduled for a 12.30pm kick-off.

Netball

On Tuesday the evening’s opening premier game features Awatere and Pelorus, starting at 6pm, while Marlborough Boys’ College take on Tokomaru Picton Motordrome and Harlequins play Tokomaru Crafar Crouch, both games at 7.45pm.

Hockey

The premier hockey matches tomorrow see MBC play Arotea Kiwi at 1.30pm and Beawai take on United at 3pm.