Rugby: Rivals to pay stalwart tribute

Two Rotorua derby matches will be staged this weekend. Pictured is Waikite's Ethan Draper (with ball) in action last season. Photo / Stephen Parker

Two Rotorua derby matches take centre stage in round two of the Baywide division one rugby competition.

Waikite host Marist St Michael's at Bellvue Rd and Ngongotaha host Kahukura at Ngongotaha Domain tomorrow.

The latter match will take on extra significance as the two clubs, Kahukura and Ngongotaha, honour the late Arthur Warren. Warren represented both clubs in his younger years and died recently after a long battle with cancer.

Warren, who also worked with Maori trusts representing Ngati Rangiwewehi, will be remembered with a minute's silence before the match.

Ngongotaha co-manager Jared Grace said they were expecting a very tough match against Kahukura.

"Kahukura and Ngongotaha are two very proud clubs ... and have both played in the premier division. We are both looking to get back there and are rebuilding at present."

He said Ngongotaha had done a lot of work in the off-season, recruiting young players.

"The way the club went last year, we ended up defaulting a few games and were in danger of being thrown out of the competition," he said.

"A couple of the older members from the club got together and looked at how we could bring back some of the younger players, from around the community, into the club."

Following that recruitment drive, the club had prospered during the pre-season.

Ngongotaha won their opening match 58-0 last weekend against Ruatoki but will have a much tougher assignment against Kahukura, whose first match was postponed.

Meanwhile, in the other Rotorua derby Waikite host Marist St Michael's. Both lost in round one and will be looking to bounce back in this fixture.

Marist coach Mike Lewis said they were up 20-0 at half-time against Te Teko in round one but lost 22-20. "The boys were pretty gutted ... I think what we will take out of that match is just keep attacking the game and don't just try and defend a lead."

They had not played Waikite in more than a year because the latter played in the premier division last season.

Baywide draw for tomorrow:

Premier (2.45pm): Tauranga Sports v Arataki at Tauranga Domain, Te Puna v Whakarewarewa at Maramatanga Park, Mt Maunganui v Rangataua at Blake Park, Whakatane Marist v Opotiki at Rugby Park, Paroa v Rotoiti at Lawson Park, Te Puke Sports v Greerton Marist at Murray Salt Stadium.

Development grade: Games start at 1pm before each premier match.

Division One (2.45pm): Papamoa v Ruatoki at Gordon Spratt, Waimana v Te Teko at Waimana, Waikite v Marist St Michael's at Bellvue Rd, Ngongotaha v Kahukura at Ngongotaha Domain, Poroporo v Katikati at Poroporo Park, Rangiuru v Judea at Centennial Park.