The Daily Post's sports department previews some of the grassroots sporting events happening around the region's sports fields this weekend.
Football
Earlier this week, 47,250 fans in the Etihad Stadium and a potential TV audience of more than 600 million world wide were on edge for the English Premier League
top of the table clash between the two Manchester sides. It has been followed by a tension-filled week as some clubs fight for the four Champions League positions and others strive to avoid relegation.
Tomorrow the spectators will be counted in tens rather than millions in the battle of the bottom in the WaiBop Federation League, when winless Rotorua United take on Otorohanga at the Otorohanga Domain.
United registered their first, and only, point so far against Waikato Unicol last week, while Otorohanga have fared only marginally better, having lost four from five. The two sides have the worst defensive and attacking statistics in the league, scoring just 12 goals and conceding 36 in ten games.
United coach Neil Rush was disappointed by his team's lacklustre start against Unicol but would have taken heart from the way they fought back from 0-3 down.
"I want the team to start the game with that intensity and effort tomorrow," he said.
Ngongotaha travel to Rex Morpeth Park where they meet Whakatane Town. Both sides have young squads who try to play constructive football and while the home side has a two point lead over the Villagers, it wouldn't surprise if the Rotorua side takes the three points.
Leaders Taupo take on AFC Fury at Crown Park and while Fury are on a roll having won their last three games, Taupo are playing with confidence and control and should prevail at the "Fortress".
Otumoetai host second placed Claudelands Rovers who will start as favourites, while Tauranga Boys' College are at home to Waikato Unicol in what promises to be a close encounter.
Defending champions Old Blues, who came back from the dead to earn a draw against Ngongotaha last week, are at home against Melville United who have been inconsistent this season.
Division one points: Taupo 15, Claudelands 12, AFC Fury 10, Whakatane 9, Ngongotaha Melville 7, Otumoetai, Tauranga Boys, Waikato Unicol 6, Old Blues 4, Otorohanga 3, Rotorua United 1.
Division two draw: Rotorua United v West Hamilton, Matamata v Tokoroa, Clube Algeria v Tauranga City, Te Awamutu v Katikati.Brian Smith
Rugby
Rotoiti take on Mount Manganui tomorrow in a vital Baywide premier clash, in front of what's expected to be a large crowd at Blake Park.
Both sides sit just outside the top four, with the winner likely to take a significant step towards genuine championship contender status.
Rotoiti, who made the early pace, have narrowly lost their last two encounters with Whakarewarewa and Te Puke Sports. However, they gave competition leaders Te Puke Sports a real run for their money last week, leading by 13 points going into the last quarter before the visitors came back to win the match 23-16.
By contrast, Mount Maunganui made a slow start to the season, sitting near the bottom of the standings in the early rounds before stringing together three successive victories.
With a close encounter on the cards, the two teams' goal kickers could decide the final result.
Rotoiti sharp shooter Whakataki Cunningham is among the competition's leading points scorers, while Quade Langeveldt is a capable backup kicker. Any Rotoiti mistakes are likely to receive heavy punishment from Mount Maunganui's Matt Golding who has been in superb kicking form.
A seven-point buffer separates Te Puke Sports from the chasing pack, as the defending champions have posted an unbeaten start to their title chase. There is likely to be a big gathering of rugby fans in Te Puke when they host Opotiki at Murray Salt Stadium. The Eastern Bay side have been the surprise package this year and their decisive 37-9 win over Whakarewarewa last weekend served notice of their championship intentions.
Whakarewarewa will receive plenty of attention from Te Puna when they visit Puarenga Park. Te Puna will be especially keen to take some points from the game to ensure they keep well away from the dreaded relegation zone.
A win for Waikite against Greerton Marist in the Western Bay will move the Rotorua team further away from demotion at the end of the season. While Greerton have yet to register a win, they have given several spirited performances, which will give their supporters some hope against the visitors.
Tauranga Sports should have little to fear from Rangataua, who have yet to register a point in the competition. An injury hit Rangataua side are just a shadow of the last year's title contenders, and will want to give their fans something to cheer about at the Tauranga Domain.
All games kick off at 2.45pm.
League
Tomorrow's fourth round of the Bay of Plenty district premier competition sees the Pikiao Warriors, joint top of the table, at home to Forestland.
After holding out for a 36-22 win over Tauranga last week, Warriors coach Selwyn Rikiti will be looking for a full 80-minute effort from his side. Forestland will go into the match confident on the back of their 28-10 victory over Central.
Pacific hosts Central in Tokoroa while co-leaders Otumoetai should be too strong for Tauranga. All matches kick off at 2.30pm.
Meanwhile, a change in format will ensure only the best teams will get through to the WaiCoa Bays club rugby league premiership when it kicks off next month.
In a reversal of last season when teams from Waikato, Coastline and Bay of Plenty went straight into the Upper Central Zone competition, teams have started with their local district competitions (Waikato and a combined Bay of Plenty/Coastline) to decide seedings before playing the region-wide premiership in the second half of the season.
The competition this year will see the top four finishers from each of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty premierships compete in the WaiCoa Bays premiership. The remaining clubs from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty will form a second tier division known as the WaiCoa Bays championship.
Marcus Reynolds, general manager of the NZRL's Upper Central Zone, explains the new format: "It is the perfect way to ensure clubs play teams their own strength, no one likes to see blowouts, especially with the travel distances we face. This format means teams only have to travel twice, which was essential when we consider how much work goes into fundraising."
This season promises to be the closest season yet, with reigning champions the Hamilton City Tigers breaking in a number of new players and the continued popularity of rugby league strengthening all clubs across the Upper Central Zone. The boost in player numbers, a 56 per cent increase on 2011, has the potential to throw up a couple of upsets during the year and ensure an even competition in both the WaiCoa Bays premiership and championship.
In the Waikato the usual suspects are looking in ominous form. Taniwharau and Ngaruawahia have started the season well. City Tigers have gotten off to a slow start but should have enough talent to make the Top four, with Hamilton Hornets, Hukanui and 2011 giantkillers Turangawaewae chasing the fourth spot.
Otumoetai Eels, the only non-Waikato side to make last year's semifinals, and Pikiao are looking odds-on to finish near the top.
Reynolds is looking forward to another big season.
" This year most premier teams were training early and already look great."
WaiCoa Bays' premiership and championship kick off on June 9, with the grand final set for August 11. From there the region's best players will have a couple of weeks off before the Upper Central Zone launches its campaign in the New Zealand Rugby League national championship.
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