Rugby: Big rivals to do battle

Few Western Bay of Plenty rugby games attract as much intensity as the match-ups between Mount Maunganui and Arataki.

In the early 1970s, Arataki became the second club to become established on the Mount Maunganui peninsula, with a intense rivalry developing from day one.

Over the years the Arataki first team has had a roller coaster ride, with a Baywide Division One title around a decade ago the club's undoubted highlight. While they are currently playing in the Seeka KI Western BOP competition, the promotion to Baywide rugby is top of their agenda.

Last season they went within one game of a Baywide return, when beaten by Katikati in the Baywide qualifying playoffs.

While the Mount Maunganui second team competes in the Western Bay competition, they have been one of the heavyweights of the Western Bay competition in the last decade.

Winners of the Combined Cup (awarded to the WBOPRFS Champions) in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and Baywide Senior Reserve silverware, tell the tale of one of the teams who are always hard to beat in the local competition.

Defending champions Tauranga Sports, who had a good tussle with Judea before retaining the Hardy Rosebowl over the Easter break, should prove too strong for Katikati at the Tauranga Domain.

A rejuvenated Rangiuru side have started the season with a real bang, banking two solid wins on their ledger card in the season start.

However Judea pays a visit to Centennial Park in Te Puke on the weekend and could give the home side a real shake.

In other WBOPRFS games, Matakana Island should extend their winning start to the season against Eastern Districts on the island, Greerton Marist and Te Puna could have a game of attrition at Greerton Park, with Te Puke Sports and Te Puna providing the curtain-raiser at Murray Salt Stadium.

Two WBOPRFS Challenge prizes are up for grabs this weekend - with Te Puna Colts putting the Oliver Cup on the line against Greerton Marist and Tauranga Sports defending the Hardy Rosebowl for the third time this season.