Sporting weekend in prospect

Sporting administrators will have their fingers crossed that the forecast inclement weather does not disrupt their weekend fixtures, with several competitions reaching important phases.

Rugby

The second round of the Marlborough sub-union competition will be played tomorrow.

With all four teams involved assured of reaching the semifinals, the race is on for home advantage.

Central, who scored a narrow victory over Renwick last weekend, head out to Seddon to take on the combined Awatere/Moutere side, who put in a gallant effort despite losing to Waitohi in the first round.

The other match involves Waitohi travelling to Renwick to take on the Green Machine, no doubt smarting after coming so close to ending Central’s unbeaten run against Marlborough rivals this season.

With teams now shorn of any players involved in the Mako season build-up, the playing field is more level and some close encounters are predicted.

Both matches begin at 3pm.

In the division two competition, Renwick and Waitohi meet at Renwick, Moutere host Pelorus at Awarua Park and Awatere take on MBC Old Boys in Seddon. All three matches kick off at 1.15pm

The MBC First XV have the weekend off, with the Miles Toyota championship taking a holiday break. The local lads are scheduled to play their next match, at home against Timaru BHS, on July 24.

Football

The Knockout Cup semi-finals will be the centre of attention for local football fans tomorrow.

In the early match, Central Wolves, the defending champs, meet Bottle-O BV Masters. This match kicks off at 12.30 at A&P Park.

The other semifinal is a club derby, with Call Care Hotspurs going up against stablemates Call Care Trojans. This game begins at 2.30pm, also at A&P Park.

Knockout Shield and Bowl semi-finals will also be played.

In the Shield, Rangers Clubs of Marlborough meet Call Care Spartans at A&P, with a 12.30 start, while Central Privateers take on Rangers Masters at the same time and venue.

The Bowl semi-finals see Rangers Development play Picton at 12.30pm and Redwood tackle Central Buccaneers at 2.30pm. Both these games are scheduled for Athletic Park.

Meanwhile, the table-topping Rangers AFC side are on home turf tomorrow, taking on third-placed Richmond at A&P Park, with a 3pm kick-off. Richmond sit five points behind Rangers, making this a must-win fixture for the visitors.

The BV Bullets women’s side were meant to be on the road, playing FC Nelson at Neale Park, but the match has been cancelled "due to the severe weather forecast".

Netball

There will be no premier netball on Tuesday, with play set to resume on July 27 at Stadium 2000.