However, Ngongotaha manager Jared Grace said Opotiki always played with energy and passion, and his side had to focus on winning and winning well.
He said this week's game was "hugely important" after a hard-fought draw against Paroa a fortnight ago and an "upsetting" 21-20 loss against Whakatane last weekend.
"We pride ourselves on putting pressure on defence and attack but we put ourselves under pressure last week and they scored a couple of tries against the run of play.
"It was a hard lesson learnt. We've had to re-calibrate ourselves and look at being clinical with the simple things we do."
Learning from mistakes and growing as a team and as a club was important throughout the season, Grace said.
"On Saturday I think we thought too far beyond where we were at that point - now with that pressure on ourselves we know we need to not just win, but win it well.
"In terms of morale and, most importantly in terms of growth, we need a good performance going into our local derby with Waikite next week."
Meanwhile, Waikite are still masters of their own destiny, but face a stiff challenge when they travel to second-placed Paroa this weekend.
Waikite performed admirably against first-placed Arataki last weekend but still lost 31-26.
Coach Kevin Lee said his team would need to reduce their unforced errors against Paroa.
"Last weekend's game there were too many errors which were converted into points.
"This weekend, we will be focused on not committing those same mistakes - the boys will need to lift their skill level too.
"Paroa are strong up front especially in their loose forwards. It will be a tough challenge but we are blessed to be in a position where our future is in our hands," Lee said.
In seventh place and with realistically little chance of making the semifinals, Marist St Michael's are concentrating on enjoying their last two games of the season.
They play first-placed Arataki who have won five from five in the Premier 2 division.
Coach Mike Lewis said his players were looking forward to playing on a "hard track".
"We got a bit bogged down in the mud in Poroporo last weekend, that slowed us down a bit.
"We'll hopefully be on a harder track and be able to run around a bit more. We're capable of playing in any conditions but the heads drop a little when we're in the mud - it's just not as much fun," Lewis said.
Going on previous seasons, he expected a "tough game" against Arataki.
"We played them almost exactly a year ago and they were big, fast and tough.
"We expect something similar - hopefully a year of experience and playing in this division again will show and we won't quite get the hiding we got last year."
Baywide Premier 1 and Premier 1 Development:
Saturday
Premier kickoff: 2.45pm
Development kickoff: 1pm
Rangataua v Tauranga Sports at Te Ariki Park
Greerton Marist v Te Puke Sports at Greerton Park
Whakarewarewa v Rotoiti at Puarenga Park
Mount Maunganui v Te Puna at Blake Park
Baywide Premier 2 and Premier 2 Development:
Saturday
Premier kickoff: 2.45pm
Development kickoff: 1pm
Arataki v Marist St Michael's at Arataki Park
Paroa v Waikite at Lawson Park
Ngongotaha v Opotiki at Ngongotaha Domain
Poroporo v Whakatane Marist at Poroporo Park
Baywide Division 1:
Saturday
Kickoff: 2.45pm
Judea v Ruatoki at Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park
Kahukura v Papamoa at Kuirau Park
Waimana v Katikati at Waimana Domain
Te Teko v Rangiuru at Dunderdale Park
Western Bay of Plenty Reserves Final:
Saturday
Kickoff: 1pm
Mount Maunganui Sports v Tauranga Sports at Blake Park
Baywide Division 2 Semifinals:
Saturday
Kickoff: 2.45pm
Murupara v Mata at Ngati Manawa Rd
Edgecumbe v Reporoa at Edgecumbe Domain
