Whakarewarewa's Doug Edward in action against Mount Maunganui last weekend. Photo / Ben Fraser
Whakarewarewa's Doug Edward in action against Mount Maunganui last weekend. Photo / Ben Fraser
As we head into round three, the Baywide Premier rugby table is beginning to take shape.
While defending champions Mount Maunganui are undefeated at the top of the table, Rotorua sides Rotoiti, Whakarewarewa and Ngongotaha are in fourth, sixth and seventh respectively.
Whakarewarewa produced a tidy victory against Whakatane Maristin round one, before going down to Mount Maunganui last weekend. Tomorrow,they travel to Arataki, who sit one place ahead of them on the table.
Arataki fell short to Ngongotaha in round one, but delivered an improved performance against Whakatane Marist over Easter weekend.
Whakarewarewa head coach Peter Smith said: "We are looking forward to the two red and black clubs in the Bay of Plenty battling it out.
"We are looking forward to getting our full strength team out on the field for the first time this year. With this in mind, the team focus will be on attitude, intensity and execution. As well as playing with passion for our families, club and community, we hope it will be a good day."
Rotoiti are also on the road this weekend, they play Tauranga Sports at the Tauranga Domain, and go into their match-up undefeated. They drew 24-all with Te Puna in round one before picking up their first win of the season against Greerton in round two.
Rotoiti coach Willie Royal said his side were "tracking all right".
"Like every other team in the competition, we're just trying to improve week by week."
Royal said drawing the first game felt "a bit strange".
"Both sides didn't know whether to be happy or be upset about it. But, it was better to come away with some points than to come away with no points."
He expected Tauranga to try to move the big Rotoiti forward pack around the field.
"They have a young side and I think they like to move the ball. For us to compete we'll have to contest everything, contest the breakdowns, try to turn the ball over and be really good at our set piece."
Ngongotaha's Leighton Simpkins in action during his side's opening game against Arataki. Photo / Stephen Parker
Meanwhile, Ngongotaha, who have one win and one loss, take on Te Puke at home. Te Puke are 10th on the table, having lost to Greerton and Tauranga Sports so far.
Ngongotaha impressed in the opening round, beating Arataki 26-20, after which coach Jodie Wharekura said he "could not have asked for a better result at the end of the day".
They also held their own against one of last year's premier semifinalists, Rangataua, last weekend, however ended up losing 28-19.
Baywide Premier Club Rugby Draw Saturday, April 7 Premier kick-off: 2.45pm Development kick-off: 1pm
Greerton Marist v Paroa at Greerton Park Tauranga Sports v Rotoiti at Tauranga Domain Ngongotaha v Te Puke Sports at Ngongotaha Domain Whakarewarewa v Arataki at Puarenga Park Mount Maunganui Sports v Te Puna at Blake Park Whakatane Marist at Rangataua at Rugby Park
Baywide Division One Draw Saturday, April 7 Kick-off: 2.45pm
Papamoa v Te Teko at Gordon Spratt Reserve Poroporo v Marist St Michael's at Poroporo Opotiki v Ruatoki at Princess St Reserve Rangiuru v Kahukura at Centennial Park Waikite v Waimana at Bellvue Rd Murupara v Judea at Ngati Manawa Rd
