Baywide club rugby: Te Puke feel pinch

With an impressive second half of the season under their belts they've fair bolted to a home semifinal tomorrow in the Baywide club rugby premiership, although coach Jeremy Cotter warns it'll be a slightly creakier Te Puke Sports who run out on to Murray Salt Stadium.
Te Puke's consistent run in the Baywide set them on a semifinal collision course with Mt Maunganui Sports about a month ago, although Cotter's big headache today was putting a fit 15 players out on the paddock.
"We have been reasonably consistent through the back end of the season, although so have Mount, but we're really starting to feel the bite now with end of season injuries and our lack of squad depth starting to catch up with us."
It's in the backs that Cotter and assistant Andy Miller have the biggest headache, with halfback Andy Lee suffering a season-ending knee injury last week - ironically after being shoved out a few spots into second-five - and his backup Craig  Donovan rated a 50/50 prospect.
That could throw stalwarts Rameka Poihipi and Miller back together in the halfback/first-five axis, with Cotter also sweating on the availability of Bay of Plenty rep Nick McCashin.
"We're desperately short of backs - we've only got seven and Nick's one of the good ones. In saying that, though, most of the battle will be won or lost up front and both packs will undoubtedly be up for it."
Whakarewarewa take on Tauranga Sports in the other semifinal at Tauranga Domain, with coach Kevin Lee saying his side are  chomping to have a crack at the side who have won the last four Baywide titles.
"If you look back, our first three goals this season were to make the semis, win the Banner and win the Tai Mitchell Shield. We've done all of that. When it comes to a semi or a final it's a one-off, do-or-die match and anything can happen then."
Despite Whaka being beaten by Tauranga back in round 13, Lee was confident his team could step up, especially with Tauranga Sports seemingly on the slide for the past month.
"Now [Tauranga] have lost their Steamers players they are a little bit vulnerable. I think we can match them up front. We haven't got the biggest pack in the world, in fact it is one of the smallest in the competition. It's not the size of the dog that counts it's how it fights that matters."
In division one, top qualifiers Te Teko have had a single mission all season - returning to the premier ranks next season. After being relegated last year, the Eastern Bay side have been in rampant form all season. However, one of the few sides to lower the Te Teko colours were Katikati, who travel to the Eastern Bay to play the home side at Dunderdale Park.
Former Baywide heavyweights Ngongotaha have a challenge against Greerton Marist in the other semi.
In the division two playoffs, where the prize is a berth in next year's division one competition, Poroporo play Matakana Island at home, with Arataki hosting Galatea.
Tomorrow's Baywide semifinals:
Premier (2.45pm): Tauranga Sports v Whakarewarewa, Tauranga Domain; Te Puke Sports v Mount Maunganui, Murray Salt Stadium.
Division one (2.45pm): Te Teko v Katikati, Dunderdale Park, Greerton Marist v Ngongotaha, Greerton Park.
Division Two (2.45pm unless specified): Poroporo v Matakana Island Poroporo Park (1pm) Arataki v Galatea, Blake Park.
Senior reserve (1pm): Mount Maunganui v Tauranga Sports, Blake Park; Waikite v Ngongotaha, Westbrook1.
Colts section two final (1pm): Ruatoki v Waikite, Tuhoe Park.