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Home / Bay of Plenty Times / Sport

League: Powerhouses set for face off

By Greg Taipari
Bay of Plenty Times·
10 May, 2012 10:17 PM4 mins to read

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It could be billed as the clash of the titans as the only two undefeated teams in this year's Bay of Plenty district rugby league competition go head to head.

Otumoetai Eels will host Pikiao Warriors in what promises to be the match of the round at Mitchell Park tomorrow.

Both sides have been uncompromising in their approach this season, racking up some big scores against their opponents.

The Eels are a clinical side who look to wear down their opponents with pace and aggression.

It will be a tough ask for Pikiao to beat Otumoetai at home. Over the last few seasons Mitchell Park has been a fortress for the Eels and many sides have gone away battered, bruised and defeated.

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Otumoetai piled on an impressive 54 points to Tauranga Whalers' 10 last week and they currently average 48 points per game.

But if there is a team who has the skill to break down the fortress, it is the Warriors.

They have plenty of experience in their forwards with Ivor Thomas, Jason Kameta and BJ Raroa in dynamic form.

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Equally impressive is their young star fullback Connor Hohepa.

Hohepa has class written all over him and it would not be surprising if Waicoa Bay Stallions snap him up this season.

Pikiao's average is slightly lower (43 points per game) than Otumoetai but they have played one more game than their Tauranga counterparts, due to Otumoetai having a bye in round three.

However, Pikiao coach Selwyn Rikiti will be wanting his side to step up their discipline this week and cut out their habit of taking their foot off the throttle, a tendency which could lead to a lot of grief against a side like Otumoetai.

Pikiao have been guilty of dropping off their intensity midway through each half.

No better example of this was in their 50-16 win over Forestland last weekend.

Pikiao clearly had Forestland well and truly under the pump, but let them back into the game.

Another critical match in the round is the Pacific Sharks versus Forestland.

A win for either team and a guaranteed two points for a bye in the later rounds would cement a top four position for one of the Tokoroa sides. Crucial when you consider the top four teams go through to the WaicoBay competition.

It's also a crunch match for both the Taupo Phoenix and Tauranga Whalers.

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Taupo currently sit fourth in the competition with four points, while Tauranga sit just outside the top four with two.

Taupo play host tomorrow but there will be very little of a welcoming party for the Whalers.

The home side face Otumoetai and Pikiao respectively after tomorrow's clash and may struggle to add to their points tally after this match. So they will be going all out to grab the win.

Although Central Lions have lost their last two matches, they still have a mathematical chance of making the top four.

They have the bye this week and will be happy for the break and should be well and truly rested for their match against Tauranga at Puketawhero Park on May 19. All games kick off at 2.30pm.

Premier draw (2pm): Otumoetai v Pikiao, Mitchell Park; Central, bye; Taupo v Tauranga, Taupo; Pacific v Forestland, Tokoroa.

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Premier points table: Pikiao 6, Otumoetai 6, Pacific 4, Taupo 4, Forestland 2, Tauranga 2, Central 2.

Premier reserves draw (1pm): Otumoetai v Pikiao, Mitchell Park; Ngongotaha v Central, Puketawhero Park; Taupo v Tauranga, Taupo; Pacific v Forestland, Tokoroa; Reporoa v Mangakino, Reporoa; Turangi v Putaruru, Turangi.

Premier reserves points table: Mangakino 8, Pacific 8, Pikiao 8, Otumoetai 6, Reporoa 4, Taupo 4, Central 2, Ngongotaha 2, Putaruru 2, Turangi 2, Tauranga 2, Forestland 0.

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