Rugby: Dozen to contest Western Bay competition

The Seeka KI Western Bay of Plenty rugby competition also makes its season debut on the weekend.

The Western Bay competition is a locally-based second tier division contested by the major clubs' 2nd XVs and the one-team clubs of Papamoa, Eastern Districts, Matakana Island and Judea.

This season's format sees the 12 sides playing an 11-round qualifying round, before splitting into the top and bottom six. The top six will contest the Seeka Western BOP Championship with the other teams playing off for the Phelan Cup.

Baywide rugby is available in July to the top two one-team clubs, who will enter the Baywide Division Two playoffs - with the top two club 2nd XVs eligible to battle out the Baywide Senior Reserve playoffs.

While the 2012 Western Bay champions Katikati have graduated to the Baywide Division One this season, runners-up Tauranga Sports look to be the team to beat in the qualifying rounds. On Saturday they will contest the curtainraiser at Greerton Park against Greerton Marist. Mount Maunganui who are another front-runner from last year, square off against Te Puna in the early attraction at Blake Park.

One of the real joys experienced by the Western Bay second echelon teams is a trip on the barge to Matakana Island to play the home side. Outstanding hospitality and a grand after-match feast, provide a unique away game for the other Western Bay contenders. The opening round of competition will see Judea become the first team to enjoy the Matakana Island hospitality in 2013.

Te Puke Sports will host a local derby when Eastern Districts pay a visit to Murray Salt Stadium, with Rangiuru facing Rangataua at Centennial Park in Te Puke. The encounter at Gordon Spratt Reserve between Papamoa and Arataki could be a bruising affair with little between the two sides.

Seeka KI Western BOP Senior Draw 23 March 2013 (1pm unless specified)

Mount Maunganui v Te Puna, Blake Park; Te Puke Sports v Eastern Districts, Murray Salt Stadium; Matakana Island v Judea, Matakana Island; Greerton Marist v Tauranga Sports, Greerton Park; Rangiuru v Rangataua, Centennial Park; Papamoa v Arataki, Gordon Spratt Reserve.

WBOPRFS Challenge Trophies (holder in italics)

Premier (Jordan Cup) Greerton Marist v Tauranga Sports, Greerton Park - 2.45pm

Western BOP Competition (Hardy Rosebowl) Tauranga Sports v Greerton Marist - 1pm