This weekend sees the WaiCoa Bays Premiers and Premier Reserve grade competitions kick off with the sole Coastline premier club Otumoetai Eels hosting last year's Waicoabay grand finalists Ngaruawahia Panthers from 2.30pm at Mitchell Park tomorrow.
The Eels feel with former Warrior and founding coach of the club Doc Murrayback on board, in partnership with club stalwart Jock Nicholson, they have enough depth to finally give the Waikato teams a huge run for their money.
Outstanding former Canberra Raiders and last year's WaiCoa Bays halfback player of the year, Josh Weeden, is back for another year, and new players are Tauranga Whalers James Parkinson, Wille Rutene, Vance Te Utupoto, Ainsley Skudder and big Otahuhu prop Tarquin Court. This is possibly the biggest forward pack since the Eels' championship winning 2010 year.
In other matches, 2012 Champions Hamilton City Tigers host Hukanui at Resthills Park, Hamilton, Turangawaewae take on the might of Taniwharau Taniwha in Huntly, with Hamilton Hornets getting the first up bye.
This season Waikato combine with Coastline in the Premier, Premier Reserve grades and the BOP District going it alone instead of the three districts playing a Waicoabay (Waikato-Coastline-BOP) competition.
Coastline's other premier club of previous years, Tauranga Whalers, have dropped back to Coastline's local Sunday competition (which kicks off on April 21) because they could not attract a top quality coach.
