It's make or break time for Kahukura in the Baywide division one competition.
The Charlie Hubbard-coached side are on an eight-game winning streak and host division-one leaders Rangiuru at Kuirau Park tomorrow.
Hubbard has been inspirational at the club lifting his team to third with 46 points on the division one points table behind Rangiuru 54 and Paroa 49.
It's Hubbard's first season as the head coach. He played 21 games for the Steamers from 2000 to 2007.
His team is well on track to achieving their goal - a top-four finish in division one.
But their current challenge is to continue their winning streak, although it's not going to be easy.
Rangiuru haven't lost a game since way back in round one - a 23-3 loss to Paroa.
Second-placed Paroa should have little trouble brushing aside the challenge of Reporoa, however they have the burden of a long trip to one of the extremities of the Bay of Plenty Union. A local derby will take centrestage in the Eastern Bay when Te Teko host Poroporo at Dunderdale Park.
Marist St Michaels should move up the table when they play bottom-placed Ruatoki at Marist Park, while Whakatane Marist could have a good battle when Ngongotaha pay a visit to Rugby Park in Whakatane.
Meanwhile, a one-point logjam between third, fourth and fifth in the Baywide premier title race should dissipate after tomorrow's round.
Rotoiti and Opotiki, who are separated by a solitary point in third and fourth place respectively on the points ladder, will meet in head-to-head combat in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. While Opotiki have home ground advantage in round two, they are sure to be motivated by the 30-21 loss to the Rotorua side in April.
Opotiki head coach Mike Smith has marshalled his troops to good effort during the long season. Last week the Eastern Bay sole premier representatives picked up their eighth bonus point of the season, when they overran Rangataua 28-10 in the Western Bay.
Rotorua lakesiders Rotoiti are having their best run for several years under player/coach Wayne Ormond. The Bay of Plenty legend, who has the distinction of being the Bay's only Ranfurly Shield-winning captain, has provided inspiration to the many youngsters in the side.
While Te Puna sit in fourth equal place on the standings, they face a big challenge when they meet multiple Baywide champions Tauranga Sports at the Tauranga Domain. Te Puna have been the big mover this season going from the relegation zone last year to genuine semifinalists this season. Head coach Vaughan Bidois has moulded his side into legitimate contenders in just a year.
Tauranga Sports hold the mantle of best premier unit in the last decade, after winning the championship silverware five times since 2003. In spite of a slow start to their season they currently sit in second place in the title race.
While Tauranga Sports mentor Mike Rogers has lifted aloft the Baywide trophy as a player, he is chasing his first premier title in the coaching ranks.
Competition leaders Te Puke Sports should have little trouble in cementing their lead against cellar dwellers Waikite. The formbook suggests Whakarewarewa will be too strong for Rangataua at Whaka HQ, while Mount Maunganui and Greerton Marist could have a good tussle at Blake Park.
Mount Maunganui, who have the bye, will finish top of the table in the Colts preliminary competition. While the top five to contest the championship round are well sorted, the last place is still in limbo until the end of play tomorrow. Marist St Michaels, who sit in sixth entering the last round, must beat Whakarewarewa to ensure a place in the six to contest the Baywide age-group title.
PGG Wrightson Baywide Rugby draws for June 16.-
Premier (2.45pm): Opotiki v Rotoiti, Princess Street Reserve; Tauranga Sports v Te Puna, Tauranga Domain; Whakarewarewa v Rangataua, Puarenga Park; Te Puke Sports v Waikite, Murray Salt Stadium; Mount Maunganui v Greerton Marist, Blake Park.
Points table: Te Puke Sports 52, Tauranga Sports 46, Rotoiti 39, Opotiki 38, Te Puna 38, Whakarewarewa 33, Mount Maunganui 25, Greerton Marist 12, Rangataua 11, Waikite 7.
Division One (2.45): Reporoa v Paroa, Reporoa; Marist St Michaels v Ruatoki, Marist Park; Whakatane Marist v Ngongotaha, Rugby Park; Kahukura v Rangiuru, Kuirau Park; Te Teko v Poroporo, Dunderdale Park.
Points table: Rangiuru 54, Paroa 49, Kahukura 46, Te Teko 39, Whakatane Marist 33, Ngongotaha 31, Poroporo 22, Marist St Michaels 20, Reporoa 8, Ruatoki 2.
Colts (1pm): Greerton Marist v Waikite, Greerton Park; Whakarewarewa v Marist St Michaels, Puarenga Park; Rangataua v Kahukura, Te Ariki Park; Opotiki v Te Puke Sports, Princess Street Reserve; Ruatoki v Tauranga Sports, Tuhoe Park; Te Puna v Rotoiti, Maramatanga Park; Mount Maunganui the bye.
Points table: Mount Maunganui 54, Tauranga Sports 44, Greerton Marist 42, Te Puna 42, Te Puke 38, Marist St Michaels 27, Rangataua 24, Opotiki 24, Ruatoki 23, Waikite 22, Whakarewarewa 14, Rotoiti 6, Kahukura 1.