League: Kapa haka stretches Pikiao

Ngongotaha play top-of-the-table Pacific tomorrow in Tokoroa. Pictured is Ngongotaha's Vito Peato. Photo / Stephen Parker

Pikiao coach Doug Unuwai likes where his team are heading, as the Bay of Plenty premier season nears the halfway mark.

The premier grade enters into round six tomorrow with games in Tokoroa and Taupo. Pikiao will have a tough assignment when they travel south to play Taupo.

Pikiao coach Unuwai said last weekend's match against Pacific (Tokoroa) gave him a good indication of where they were at.

He said they only had 14 players but still played well against an undefeated Pacific side, despite going down 32-18.

Unuwai said lots of players were missing last weekend, mainly because of kapa haka, but everyone was still coming to training.

He said that was a good sign at this stage of the year.

"It's about coming together and training as a unit. A good result on a Saturday all starts on a Tuesday [at training]."

He said he would need to rely on the club's depth again tomorrow against a good Taupo team.

"I'm taking down more or less the same team as last weekend because it is the regional finals for kapa haka," he said.

"We are looking forward to another good hit out, I'm expecting a really good tussle between the two of us."

In the other premier games, Forestland (Tokoroa) will host Mangakino and an in-form Ngongotaha side will play undefeated Pacific.

The Ngongotaha versus Pacific game has been moved to Tokoroa tomorrow.

Bay of Plenty District Rugby League draw tomorrow:

Premier grade (2.45pm): Forestland v Mangakino, Memorial Park; Taupo v Pikiao, Hickling Park; Ngongotaha v Pacific, Memorial Park; Central bye.

Reserve grade (1pm): Pacific v Putaruru, Memorial Park; Turangi v Pikiao Res, Turangi; Tauhara v Reporoa, Hickling Park; Pikiao Snrs bye.