Rugby: Playoff battlers eye division one berth

While the Seeka KI Western BOP competitions concluded last weekend, with Arataki winning the Western Bay of Plenty championship and Te Puna the second tier Phelan Cup, there is still a plenty of interest in the Western Bay teams that are about to enter the fray of the BOPRU Baywide playoffs tomorrow.

The highly sought-after prize in the Baywide division two playoffs is a berth in Baywide division one next season. Both Arataki and Judea, who fought out the Western Bay championship for the Combined Cup last weekend, will represent the Western Bay of Plenty sub-union.

They will meet the qualifiers from the Eastern and Central sub-unions in cut-throat action this weekend, where the three winners and the best loser will move forward to fight out the semifinals next Saturday.

Judea became the Western Bay number one seed when they defeated Arataki in the last round of the local qualifying rounds two weeks ago.

However, Arataki showed that they are genuine division two contenders after beating Judea in last weekend's Western Bay final. Judea has a home game at Maharaia Winiata Park tomorrow against Eastern Bay number two Edgecumbe, while Arataki travel away to meet Reporoa.

Defending Baywide Senior Reserve titleholders Tauranga Sports, who were the second Western Bay qualifier, travel to the Sulphur City to play Whakarewarewa Red.

The Rotorua-based club will be keen for revenge after Tauranga Sports beat the Whaka representatives 56-0 in last year's Baywide final.

Mount Maunganui earned a home game venue and will square of against Eastern Bay's Poroporo at Blake Park.

Meanwhile, Western Bay Colts looked poised for a whitewash of the other contenders, with four home quarter-finals, in the first round of the Baywide age group playoffs.

Mount Maunganui, who finished the Baywide Colts round robin play with an unbeaten seven from seven record, play Taupo at Blake Park.

Tauranga Sports, who finished in second spot, have drawn Te Puna, Te Puke Sports host Kahukura, with a Marist derby taking place between Greerton and St Michaels at Greerton Park.

Baywide playoffs draws

Division Two (all games 2.45pm): Reporoa v Arataki, Reporoa; Judea v Edgecumbe, Maharaia Winiata Park; Kawerau v Murupara.

Senior Reserve: Whakarewarewa Red v Tauranga Sports, Puarenga Park (1pm) Mount Maunganui v Poroporo, Blake Park (2.45pm) Opotiki v Whakarewarewa Black.

Colts (All games 1pm): Mount Maunganui v Taupo, Blake Park; Tauranga Sports v Te Puna, Tauranga Domain; Te Puke Sports v Kahukura, Murray Salt Stadium; Greerton Marist v Marist St Michaels, Greerton Park.