Two local sides kick off the SAS Fox Memorial Premiership with reigning champions from 2019 Howick Hornets hosting the Otahuhu Leopards at Paparoa Park on Saturday.
The Hornets, who finished the qualifiers in fourth place, saw their form taper off towards the end of the qualifiers but pushed a very good Pt Chevalier Pirates side last week and were unlucky not to win the game.
The Leopards enjoyed an up-and-down qualifying run and will need to raise their performances if they are to advance to the finals.
The Mangere East Hawks travel to Blockhouse Bay Reserve to face the Bay Roskill Vikings in their first match of the competition proper.
Richie Blackmore’s side will be targeting this as a must-win match.
In the Fox Championship the Papakura Sea Eagles will get a good gauge on the task ahead of them when they meet the Manukau Magpies at Prince Edward Park.
The very much in-form Otara Scorpions host Hibiscus Coast Raiders at Ngati Otara Park. The Raiders had been unbeaten until the Scorpions tipped them up last week in the qualifiers but a repeat performance will carry more significance for the home side.
The Pakuranga Jaguars host the Richmond Bulldogs at Ti Rakau Park in the other match to feature a South Auckland club.
The Manurewa Marlins Premier Women, who sit atop the standings, come up against Pt Chevalier Pirates in a battle of the two leading sides at Jack Colvin Park.
Pakuranga hosts Richmond at Ti Rakau Park.
In Women’s Championship action Howick hosts Glenora at Paparoa Park, Manurewa comes up against leading outfit Taniwharau at Mountfort Park, Manukau hosts Marist while Otara travels to Tuakau to face the Broncos.
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