Three Tauranga Sports teams will be involved in battles for the three Western Bay of Plenty Challenge Trophies on offer this season.
The Tauranga Sports Premier team have had a vice-like grip on the Jordan Cup since taking it from Greerton Marist in the first round of the Baywide competitionin March. On Saturday they will put the cup on the line in a top-of-the table clash with Te Puke Sports at Murray Salt Stadium.
Revenge will be firmly on the agenda of the Tauranga Sports 2nd XV when they square off against Arataki in a Seeka KI Western BOP Championship encounter at Grenada Park. The Tauranga side defended the Hardy Rosebowl on seven occasions this season - before Arataki relieved them of the prize with a 15-0 win when they met in the first half of the season.
Arataki have won three straight games in the Merv Scholes top six competition, while Tauranga Sports have fallen off the pace in recent weeks. In the other Scholes Cup encounters, Judea will advance their Baywide Division Two playoff chances if they defeat Matakana Island at Maharaia Winiata Park, with Mount Maunganui heavily favoured to beat Rangataua, who sit at the bottom of the standings.
Tauranga Sports colts are another side who have the opportunity to address the loss of a Western Bay challenge trophy when they travel to play their Te Puke Sports counterparts in the curtain-raiser at Murray Salt Stadium. In the first time they met, Te Puke Sports relieved the Tauranga side of the Oliver Cup with an 18-10 victory.
The second tier Western Bay competition sees Te Puna put their unbeaten Phelan Cup record on the line against Eastern Districts at Maramatanga Park. Greerton Marist could have a close encounter with Kakikati, while Te Puke Sports and Rangiuru meet in a Te Puke local derby.
