Baywide teams chase wins to make top tier

Lalakai Foketi, in action for BOP Wasps against NZ Universities on Tuesday, will be a key player for Rangataua Sports against Te Puke Sports tomorrow. Photo / George Novak

The battle for the top eight to contest the Baywide Premier 1 Championship round is getting more intense as the May 27 deadline draws nearer.

With only a six-point spread between top team Tauranga Sports (22) and eighth-placed Whakarewarewa (16), this is one of the more competitive first rounds in years with big Western Bay clubs Mount Maunganui Sports and Greerton Marist hovering just outside the eight.

Te Puke Sports, Te Puna Sports, Rangataua Sports and this season's surprise Paroa are all on 20 points with designs on beating Tauranga to the first-round title.

Arataki (17) are in seventh place and having their best season for many years. There is a new vitality about the club that has come on the back of a growing junior rugby programme and excellent club officials in place.

Tomorrow they take on Whakarewarewa at Puarenga Park, Rotorua, in a game that will impact on the final top eight standings.

Arataki player/coach Billy Russell said lessons had been learned from last week's loss to Te Puke.

"We didn't probably play the way we wanted to play, and Te Puke were really efficient on starving us of possession," he said.

"This week we have focused a lot on holding on to the ball and maintaining possession, so leading into the weekend we can perform the way we want to perform as a pose to just defending for the whole game."

Russell said the focus was on individual jobs and teamwork this week.

"Rangataua was a really good win for us, but that was because the team performed really well. We have shown we can beat any team on our day. However, everybody has to be on the same page to do so.

"Most of all having the right attitude and not worrying about who our opposition is. We know Whaka is strong and we know they have some brilliant players in their team, but if we focus too much on them, we forget about what our own jobs are."

There are plenty of Premier home games for rugby supporters to watch tomorrow.

Leaders Tauranga take on Greerton Marist at Greerton Park in what could be a tougher game than the points table would indicate.

Greerton Marist were close to taking the points off Mount Maunganui last weekend and have added former North Harbour halfback Phil Tuigamala to a backline of real attacking flair, featuring brothers Atunaisa and Luke Masirewa.

Te Puke and Rangataua clash at Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke in the match of the round, with both teams just two points behind Tauranga.

Injuries have affected both teams early on this season, but with key principal players returning to both sides, this should be a competitive game with plenty of Bay of Plenty contracted players on show.

Te Puna will be too strong for winless Whakatane Marist at Maramataga Park as will Mount Maunganui at Blake Park against Poroporo.