Rotoiti seek to turn Emery Park into fortress in Baywide Premier

CAPTAIN'S CALL: Rotoiti captain Baden Wardlaw, pictured getting a pass away last season. Photo/File

Rotoiti captain Baden Wardlaw wants his players to turn Emery Park into a fortress.

Wardlaw's warning to Baywide Premier opposition comes ahead of his side's home clash against third placed Tauranga Sports in round five of the competition tomorrow. It is set to be a tough contest - Tauranga are just one point off the top of the standings after three wins so far, including last weekend's 33-16 home victory over fellow Rotorua team Whakarewarewa.

Meanwhile, Rotoiti's two wins this season both came at home - a 51-7 result over Poroporo and a thrilling 34-32 win against Greerton Marist.

But the home side look to improve from a 37-17 loss against Mount Maunganui Sports last weekend.

Wardlaw, making his debut in the skipper role this season, said his team were feeling confident despite the prospect of a well structured and clinical Mount side.

"We definitely feel good, we have the advantage of being at Emery Park - we are strong at home. I never believed in that kind of thing about teams being able to create a castle but we are certainly on our way to doing that and that's the atmosphere I want here," he said.

"This season we have been bad on the road - that's not an excuse. Our mental preparation just wasn't quite there and it really showed in the game. That's all different this week - I've stressed that players need to bring mana into the jersey.

"The Mount are always a strong outfit - they have a lot of fitness within their ranks and are well structured and clinical finishers - our forwards have to be dominant against them."

Rotoiti sit seventh tied on 10 points, with the Mount and Whaka, and have suffered several injuries - most notably No 8 Jesse Acton.

Wardlaw said poor weather conditions due to Cyclone Cook could further affect match preparation.

"We've got a couple of injuries but you have to deal with that - it's a long season," he said.

"Already this week we've had to do gym work instead of being out on the field. We've been scrambling a bit to find a place we can have a run out on but I'm hoping we will have a chance to put our final game plan into action before Saturday."

Rescheduling in the Bay of Plenty senior competitions due to Cyclone Cook:

Friday April 14:

Division 1:

Papamoa v Marist St Michaels at Gordon Spratt Reserve, kick-off 1pm.

Saturday April 15:

Premier:
Development kick-off 1.00pm / Premier kick-off 2.45pm

Rotoiti v Tauranga Sports, Emery Park.

Greerton Marist v Poroporo, Greerton Park.

Rangataua v Arataki, Te Ariki Park.

Division 1:
Kick-off 2.45pm

Ngongotaha v Waimana, Ngongotaha Domain.

Judea v Waikite, Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park.

Monday April 17:

Premier:
Development kick-off 1.00pm / Premier kick-off 2.45pm

Whakarewarewa v Whakatane Marist, Puarenga Park.

Games still to be rescheduled include:

Premier:

Te Puna v Mount Maunganui Sports, Maramatanga Park.

Te Puke Sports v Paroa, Murray Salt Stadium.

Division 1:

Opotiki v Kahukura, Princess St Reserve.

Papamoa v Marist St Michael's at Gordon Spratt Reserve.

Katikati v Ruatoki, Moore Park.