Round 12 fires up this weekend and the run into the finals 4 starts in earnest. For some teams, they have all but secured a spot, others are on the borderline and have a tense fight to make the 4, whilst for some players thier season is practically over already and they play for pride and the off chance to perhaps impact on thier rivals hopes.

Second grade match of the round sees Souths tackle University tonight at 6pm. Both teams sit on 7 points, equal fourth with Tigers. The fight for 4th spot is on and the result of this match is likely to have a major bearing on who goes on to secure that 4th spot come September. Both teams have struggled for consistency this season. The Lions are coming off a hard fought 4-3 victory over Wests, whilst the Students are playing thier first game for a few weeks after enjoying the bye last round. Both teams have beaten Tigers and Wests this season, and drew 1-1 when they faced off back in round 5. Uni have managed to defeat Maitland this season, and this suggests they can play against the big boys. Souths though have struggled against the big 3. This ladder shows there isnt much between the teams in goals for and against so this match is likely to be very close if statistics can be sued as a guide. University however will not be at full strength, with semester break having a huge impact on all thier teams across all the grades. With the HCPHL game scheduled between the two clubs being postponed, Souths would take a slight edge into this match with thier fringe HCPHL players probably now partaking in the game. They will probably prove the difference and get the result against a weakened seapigs outfit. In other matches, Norths play Tigers, and Wests will entertain Norths Blues.

3rd Grade has closed right up at the top of the ladder, with just 2 points seperating 1st to 4th, although 1st and 2nd do have games in hand over 3rd and 4th. The gap between Souths in 4th and tigers in 5th is now out to 5 points and this might mean the top 4 are now established. but Tigers have 2 games in hand over souths, and could potentially close that gap to just 1 point. Tense times indeed for Tigers but they have the strikepower to trouble the higher placed teams and you would be crazy for dismissing them yet. This weekend Tigers have a real chance to prove thier worth in this competition, playing top team Crusaders on Saturday before backing up Sunday to take on 3rd placed Norths. The game against Norths is the match of the round, and against two traditional rivals its bound to be full of excitement. Last matchup the teams ended the game all square with a 1-1 draw, but Norths have had the better of the results since then and might be slight favourites. Tigers though played exceptionally well against Port Stephens last week and if they can keep that momentum going might prove a tougher opponent then Norths are expecting. Young Josh Trickett is performing well in goal and Ian Howitt continues to play well for Tigers. David Oliver and Roland Hatton are the danger men in the Norths lineup. Other matches see Port Stephens playing Wests, and Cessnock will meet Crusaders at Maitland Park.

4th Grade is also very tight with just 5 points seperating 1st to 6th. The top 3 have games in hand and should pull clear of the chasing pack, but Souths, Port Stephens, University and Maitland are embroiled in a dogfight for that 4th spot. Souths have gained the edge in recent weeks with some fine performances against higher ranked teams. This week sees the second of the 4th Grade "extra rounds" so there is only 3 games on. The pick of the bunch is Colts v Port Stephens. Colts are unbeaten and crusing in first position, with the tightest defence in any league in the competition, just 4 goals coneeded in 8 games. Port has been plodding along, having no luck against the top 3 but winning or drawing against the other teams around them in that chase for 4th. Last outing, Colts secured a 4-0 win but had to wait til the second half to open the scoring. It will be Colts first hitout since 13th June, so a couple of weeks off might mean they are a bit rusty, but one would expect the team to continue with thier good form. Colts are likely to be a little undermanned with a number of the players away with the U13 rep teams. Port will be at full strength, and will hope to sneak a goal or two on the counter. The Davies boys will need to be watched as they appear to be scoring freely whenever they play for Colts. Port will rely on Andrew Germon to guide the middle and the more senior heads in the team to keep the youngsters in the game. In other matches, Wests tackle Tigers, and Maitland play Crusaders.

5th Grade looks set to be a Crusaders domain for 2010, with the team unbeaten and sitting well out in front of thier nearest rivals. They have scored more goals then 2nd and 3rd combined, and have the best defence in the competition. Cardiff and Colts look certain to finish top 4, whilst the 2 Uni teams and Maitland are neck and neck in that hunt for 4th spot. The bottom two teams are well off the pace and will fight it out over the next few weeks for that wooden spoon. This weeks big game will pit 3rd v 4th, Colts v University. Colts are coming off a less then impressive victory over Retreads last week, and University will need to get back on the confidence board after being dismantled 7-0 by Crusaders. Colts have a very solid and experienced team with John Walshe and Trevor Thompson to name a few. University will likely struggle for players again thanks to the semester break, but they should still be more then competitive and know a loss could see them back to 6th spot if results in other games go against them. Speaking of other matches, Port Stephens will play Uni Retreads, Cardiff will battle with Tigers, and Maitland will host Crusaders at Maitland Park.

6th Grade sees Maitland out in front, but 2nd to 5th is very close with just 3 points seperating them. The big game though sees 1st v 2nd out at Maitland Park. Maitland and Crusaders will go head to head in a game that will have a host of veteran Newcastle players rekindling thier battles from years gone by. Last match Crusaders inflicted a 3-1 defeat on the Rams, and on home turf the Rams will be eager to avenge that result. The difference between the two teams is defence, where Maitland have conceeded a tight 11 goals, but Crusaders have been opened up 21 times in 11 games. Here lies the key area of the game. Both teams can score goals, thats been proven, but how they defend will be the key and Maitland certainly has the edge in this department. Should be a cracker. In other games, Cardiff Wallies and Wests renew hostilities, University and colts will do battle, whilst Cardiff and Tigers will go head to head.