Manurewa and Patumahoe square off at Patumahoe on Saturday in what is shaping as a game that could well determine which of the two advances to the semi-finals of the McNamara Cup.
The two sides hold fourth and fifth on the table as it stands and are effectively in a race against each other to make the knockout stage.
Manurewa won the first round match-up at Mountfort Park but will need to get the better of their opponents in enemy territory to take control of the race.
Defending champions Karaka face a must-win game at Bombay as they look to cement their top four spot while also keeping themselves alive in the battle for a home semi-final.
Second-placed Pukekohe hosts Papakura at Colin Lawrie Fields while top ranked Ardmore Marist hosts Weymouth at Pulman Park. The top two sides can all but secure home semi-finals with wins.
Third and fourth on the Bob Chandler Cup Premier 2 table meet when Ardmore Marist hosts Waiuku on the weekend.
Karaka and Pukekohe will all but secure top two spots if they win their respective matches against Bombay and Papakura respectively.
Patumahoe will need to beat Manurewa if they are to remain in the playoff picture.
Onewhero hosts Drury in the opening match of the Sid Marshall Shield round after the top five broke away from the bottom five.
Maramarua hosts Manurewa in the other game while Te Kauwhata has they bye.
Karaka meets Pukekohe at Karaka Sports Complex while Puni and Tuakau battle it out at Puni in the Sid Marshall Cup fixtures.
Te Kohanga has a bye.
In the U21 Massey Cup, Karaka heads to Hauraki North to face RuaNorth, Patumahoe hosts Ardmore Marist while Manurewa travels to Pukekohe.
Bombay heads to Te Puru Park to face Beachlands Maraetai in U85kg action this weekend.
Drury hosts Hamilton Marist, Pukekohe and Waiuku meet at Colin Lawrie Fields while Patumahoe heads south to face Morrinsville.
Karaka takes on Fraser Tech in Hamilton.
Manurewa has the tough job of playing Ponsonby at Western Springs in the Premier Women’s competition this weekend.
In Premier 2 play, Papakura and Weymouth meet at Massey Park in an all-Counties Manukau affair, while Patumahoe hosts Waitemata.
