Baywide rugby: Finals an all-Western Bay affair

Tim Bond, left, of Te Puke Sports, and Carl Axtens, of Tauranga Sports, will lead their teams out tomorrow in the Baywide Premier final. Photo / George Novak

The extended Te Puke community is buzzing about Bayfair Baywide finals day to be played at two locations separated by Atuaroa Ave tomorrow afternoon.

Te Puke Sports and Tauranga Sports will contest the Premier and Development finals at Murray Salt Stadium, with Rangiuru hosting the Division One final against Arataki next door at Centennial Park.

Despite Eastern Bay and Central Bay clubs talking up their chances pre-season, the finals are a complete Western Bay shut-out.

Te Puke Premier captain Tim Bond says they are excited to be at home.

"That is the track we have trained and played on all year. It is more of being in our comfort zone than anything and it helps you relax a little bit, I suppose," he said.

"After two years of losing semis, to get back in there and win the title again would be an awesome thing for the club and the community.

"Our brothers across the road, Rangiuru, have also got a final there. Rugby is a massive part of our community in Te Puke."

Te Puke earned the right to host the final after going unbeaten in 11 rounds of pool play and last week's semifinal win over Whakarewarewa.

So do not expect any change from the game plan that has worked so well all season.

"We have played to our strengths. We have quite a big forward pack and we definitely try to use that to our advantage," Bond said.

Tauranga were well beaten when the sides met in Te Puke three weeks ago.

But they will be tougher up front this time, with Highlanders prop Pingi Tala'apitaga, Steamers lock Keepa Mewett and hooker Alan McRobbie starting.

Captain Carl Axtens says the work done over the last few weeks has improved their set-piece platform to the stage he hopes to be able to match Te Puke there.

The Tauranga club have won seven Baywide titles since 1990 - the next best is three - but missed last year's final.

"I don't think we had the numbers that we have this year," Axtens said. "We are just excited to be there again."