Rugby: Handful of teams still in running for playoffs

Greerton Marist winger Tino Nemani breaks away in the first round win over Tauranga Sports. Photo / Andrew Warner

The Bayfair Baywide premier competition kicked off on March 29 and five teams are still battling it out for next week's semifinal spots going into Saturday's final round robin games.

Te Puke Sports (63 points), Tauranga Sports (60), Mount Maunganui (60), Whakarewarewa (59) and Greerton Marist (56) are all in the mix in this memorable season.

Leaders Te Puke have relegation-bound Rangiuru at home and need to win to clinch a home semifinal. The rivalry between the two clubs located either side of Atuaroa Avenue is such there is never an easy game. Earlier this year Te Puke scored late in the game to nail the win.

There is a mouth-watering clash in Rotorua between third placed Mount Maunganui and fourth-placed Whakarewarewa that will impact on the final placings, as will the clash at Tauranga Domain between defending champions Tauranga Sports and fifth-placed Greerton Marist.

Greerton are unbeaten in five games, and have the firepower and confidence to nail a bonus point win and the fourth play-off spot next Saturday.

But Tauranga are back to top form, with the return of ace try-scoring fullback Steve Honey from long-term injury.

Tauranga's head coach Mike Rogers says it is a must win for his team.

"If we were to lose there's a really good chance we'll miss out on the top four altogether, so obviously we want to avoid that," he said. "If Greerton lose, they're definitely out; if we lose there's a small chance that we'd still be in through bonus points in our favour. They beat us in the first round for the first time in a long time, so it'd be nice to put that one right as well."

Greerton's head coach Kane Parker says they are treating the game like a final. Tauranga Sports are Tauranga Sports - they've got stronger as the season has gone on, which is probably much the same as us. We were lucky enough to get a win in the first round and now it's come down to the final round to see if we can make those play-offs."

Arataki play Rotoiti at home this Sunday from 1pm in the women's Baywide competition. Arataki coach Mark Latimer says they are focused on next week's final against Waikite.

"We drew with them during the competition this year, and there's really been no other competition to speak of with our team winning 50 points or more every game pretty much. Next week is when we're really going to be tested. We deserved to win last year but we weren't quite able to pull it off but we're a lot more confident this year."

Sky TV's cameras will be at Otumoetai College on Saturday for the live telecast on the Rugby Channel of the traditional July school holidays fixture between Otumoetai College First XV and Rosehill College First XV. Kick-off at 2.45pm.

Jamie Davis, Otumoetai College co-coach, says this year they are rebuilding and have a young team.

"Its been an impressive season so far, and the college team has been able to test all the top teams in Division One," he said. "Although we have lost more games than we have won, we are a tough team defensively and our attacking ability is improving."

Bayfair Baywide draw, tomorrow:
(Development 1pm, Premier 2.45pm)

Whakarewarewa v Mount Maunganui at Puarenga Park; Te Puke v Rangiuru at Murray Salt Stadium; Tauranga v Greerton Marist at Tauranga Domain; Rangataua v Opotiki at Te Ariki Park; Te Puna v Rotoiti at Maramatanga Park.