This weekend's Spray Marks NZ Fergus Hickey Rosebowl Championship matches are also the final games in the calendar year that count towards determining Northern Districts' challenger for the Hawke Cup in 2018.  Bay of Plenty are the current Hawke Cup holders.

Hamilton host Northland at Galloway Park and Waikato Valley host Counties Manukau at St Pauls. All four teams are still in contention for the challenge. Hamilton and Northland currently lead with 31 points each. Counties Manukau and Waikato Valley are close behind on 28 and 25 respectively. With a maximum of 14 points available from a game, it makes for an intriguing finale.

Counties Manukau are coming off a resounding first innings win over Hamilton in the last round, while Northland  headed off the Hawke Cup holders Bay of Plenty in a high scoring game. Waikato Valley are also in form, with a convincing first innings win over Poverty Bay in the most recent round.

View points table here.