Classic clash between rivals anticipated

Defending champions Tauranga Sports have a short journey to Maungatapu to face longtime rivals Rangataua, at Te Ariki Park, in a key clash this weekend.
The match between the two adversaries attracts the largest crowd seen at Rangataua headquarters each season, with an equal amount of vocal support for both sides.
While Tauranga Sports are unbeaten in the first two rounds of the BOPRU Centennial Year competitions, a little luck would have seen Rangataua also possessing a two from two win record.
On the first day of the new season they lost by a solitary point to Te Puna, while last weekend they drew 38-all with Opotiki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
A real battle of attrition is likely to take place in the only game in Rotorua, when Whakarewarewa host Opotiki.
The home side has started their pursuit of the championship silverware in style, posting two comprehensive victories.
However Opotiki look to be real contenders, with a solid win and the draw with Rangataua to open their season.
The other Western Bay match-ups will see Te Puna at home to Waikite, Mount Maunganui will receive a serious challenge from Rotoiti, and Te Puke Sports will host Whakatane Marist.
Te Teko have made their intentions clear in division one - they're after a return to the premier ranks next season, after relegation last year.
Their biggest challenge will come on the weekend, when they travel to play Rangiuru in Te Puke. The Te Puke-based side went within one game of annexing the division one title last season, and making their home ground a fortress when their opposition pay a visit to Jamieson Oval.
Ngongotaha, who were a real force in the premier ranks a decade ago, will meet Katikati at the Ngongotaha Domain. The Western Bay team, who earned promotion to division one last season, have made a good start in the second echelon with a narrow loss and a draw on their ledger card.
Greerton Marist will be favoured to defeat Ruatoki at Greerton Park, with the Marist St Michaels and Reporoa match likely to go down to the wire, while Kahukura and Paroa should have a good battle at Kuirau Park in Rotorua.
The first week's results in the Colts grade suggest that defending champions Te Puke Sports, along with fellow Western Bay sides Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Sports, will be the teams to beat.
Te Puke Sports will be expected to prevail against Te Teko with Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Sports likely to be to strong for Rotoiti and Rangataua respectively.
Judea will mark their return to age group rugby with an encounter with Marist St Michaels. The Judea team have a large squad in training at Maharaia Winiata Park, and should trouble a number of teams in the age group grade.
In other colts matches Whakatane Marist will have a local derby with Ruatoki, Te Puna and Waikite will provide the curtain raiser to the meeting of their Premier teams, Whaka host Opotiki, with Edgecumbe at home to Greerton Marist.
Round 2 draw:
Premier (2.45pm); Te Puna v Waikite, Maramatanga Park; Whakarewarewa v Opotiki, Puarenga Park; Mount Maunganui v Rotoiti, Blake Park; Te Puke Sports v Whakatane Marist, Murray Salt Stadium; Rangataua v Tauranga Sports, Te Ariki Park.
Division One (2.45pm); Greerton Marist v Ruatoki, Greerton Park; Marist St Michaels v Reporoa, Marist Park; Kahukura v Paroa, Kuirau Park; Rangiuru v Te Teko, Jamieson Oval; Ngongotaha v Katikati, Ngongotaha Domain
Colts (1pm); Blue Section: Mount Maunganui v Ruatoki, Blake Park; Whakatane Marist v Ruatoki, Rugby Park; Te Puna v Waikite, Maramatanga Park; Te Puke Sports v Te Teko, Murray Salt Stadium.
Gold Section: Whakarewarewa v Opotiki, Puarenga Park; Rangataua v Tauranga Sports, Te Ariki Park; Marist St Michaels v Judea, Marist Park; Edgecumbe v Greerton Marist, Edgecumbe Domain.