The first men’s semi-final sees the round robin and President’s Shield winners Harewood play Marist. The Hunters will be confident heading into the match against the fourth seeds after the secured top spot last week against Old Boys. They will be somewhat nervous however as the last time the two sides met Marist came out on top in the Porritt Cup third and fourth playoff match. With Nick Harris ecstatic with the two Marist sides both making their first finals appearance since their inclusion into the top flight, a number of Marist imports are in for salary bonuses if they manage to upset the Hunters and make their first ever CPL final. One to watch for the Hunters will be Richard Bain, who is expected to carry the ball a lot more than last week.

In the second men’s semi-final, second placed Carlton Redcliffs face the third placed and in-form Southern United Stingers. The repeat of last year’s CPL final is expected to draw large numbers down to Marist Park this weekend. But with no Lane and Newman featuring in either side, last year’s fixture can be nothing to go off. Chris Goldsbury, who has been given a large ego and confidence boost by his selection into the Canterbury Beavers, will be instrumental for the defending champs. The Stingers started the second round outside of the top four but their relentless performances in last few games has seen them finish in third and a real title threat as they look to go one better than last year.

In the first of the bottom four matches, HSOB/Burnside face the Hornby Vipers. It is unfamiliar territory for Old Boys to not be preparing for a CPL final, however they will have to overcome the giant killing Vipers to avoid playing for the wooden spoon. Having losing the unpreffered Brydon to representative duties at the start of the year making the top four was always going to be a challenge for Old Boys. Now, they face a young Hornby Vipers side who will be eager to improve on last week’s performance where they went down by 10 goals. The young strike line will have plenty of work on their hands with the likes of Gread, Kanji and Brydon at the back for Old Boys.

The final men’s match of the weekend sees University play Avon. The two sides have met three times this year with both sides winning once and the third fixture resulting in a 2-2 draw. Pistol Pete Anderson could well be the difference for the two sides, as he returns from a long injury which has kept in out for a large chunk of the season. Avon will be without the services of Elliot Darling, placing pressure on younger brother Harrison to pick up the goal scoring slack. With both sides desperate to not play for the wooden spoon next match, the fixture is expected to be fiercely contested and go right down to the wire.

In the first women’s semi-final of the weekend, Rose Bowl winners Harewood come up against Marist. The Harewood women have put on a clinical display all season having only lost one fixture in the major competition all year, last week at the hands of Old Boys. Harewood will be tough to beat on their day with Anne McKechnie, Jordy Grant, Catherine Tinning and Jessie Anderson all major threats up front, while Iona Young and Thomasina Loeffen continue to do the business at the back of the field. Marist have played well to qualify for their first ever semi-final and will take a lot of confidence out of their recent wins against Avon and HSOB/Burnside.

The second semi-final for the women will be contested between HSOB/Burnside and Carlton Redcliffs. The last time the two sides met Old Boys ran away with the match winning 4-1 off the back of a Rachel McCann hat-trick. Sian Fremaux and Hannah Hill will also be crucial for Old Boys in their quest of making the big dance. Carlton Redcliffs are the defending champions and will need to improve on their most recent performance where they lost 4-2 to Avon if they want an opportunity to defend their title. Kirsty Nation will once again be an integral part of the Reindeer setup in goal and all will hope that the Willis sisters can continue their hot form in front of goal.

The final women’s match of the day sees the two bottom of the table sides Southern United and Hornby play in one of the most important fixtures of the year. The winner of the match will play Avon next week for fifth and sixth whilst the loser will earn themselves a week off and the wooden spoon for the 2017 season. The two sides met just last week where they couldn’t be separated after finishing up 1-1 off the back of goals from Kirsty McCombe and Maddy Earle. With plenty on the line including pride and the spoon this fixture is expected to be full of action and extremely close.

DRAW

Men
Harewood v Marist – 12.15pm, Marist Park
HSOB/Burnside v Hornby, 1.15pm, Waimak
Carlton Redcliffs v Southern United – 3.20pm, Marist
University v Avon – 4.15pm, Waimak

Women
Harewood v Marist – 1.45pm, Marist
Southern United v Hornby – 2.45pm, Waimak
HSOB/Burnside v Carlton Recliffs – 4.50pm, Marist