With only two rounds to go before next week's Ford Trophy Elimination and Grand Finals, the race to get there is incredibly tight ahead of tomorrow's games in Queenstown, Christchurch and Wellington
Only the top three teams will progress, and all eyes are on the penultimate round beginning 10.30am this Wednesday in Queenstown, Christchurch and Wellington - with just 10 points separating the top and bottom teams!
Defending national champion the Central Stags (above) are away to Canterbury at Hagley Oval in another rematch of last year’s Grand Final, while the resurgent Otago Volts head inland to Sir John Davies Oval where they will be hosting both their last two rounds, starting with a visit from leader Northern Districts.
Running hot: the Otago Volts have made a late charge | PHOTOSPORT
The Auckland Aces were early leaders this summer but have skidded down the ladder, and will be away to the Wellington Firebirds at the Cello Basin Reserve, looking to put that trend into reverse.
The Firebirds are at the foot of the ladder, one point behind the Aces, and the most vulnerable heading into the ninth of the 10 rounds.
If they lose to the Aces, the Aces will move up to either 17 or 18 points. Once countbacks are factored in, that would be curtains for the Firebirds, who have netted only two wins, while the Aces have four ahead of Wednesday.
Aces captain Robbie O'Donnell | PHOTOSPORT
The Aces are one of just two teams (along with ND) to have chalked up four victories so far, but nonetheless find themselves currently second to last as none of those victories came with a bonus point to push them further up the tight table.
It leaves the Aucklanders in urgent need at the Basin, after having lost to the Stags in Napier on the weekend.
Should the Aces now lose to the Firebirds on Wednesday, they'll need the Stags or Volts to have meanwhile lost their ninth round matches for hopes to remain.
At the right end of the table, a bonus-point win (worth 5 points) for Northern Districts against the Volts in the upcoming round would ink in a top three qualification berth for ND — but who gets direct entry to the Grand Final, and who goes to the 2v3 Elimination Final, would still not be known until the completion of the 10th round on Sunday unless washouts or a tied result come into play.
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