Rugby: Whaka going for three in row

Whaka will play Greerton tomorrow at Puarenga Park. Pictured is Whaka player Chanse Perham (with ball) in action last weekend. Photo / Ben Fraser

Whakarewarewa will look to continue their perfect start to the season against Greerton Marist in Rotorua.

Whaka have won their first two Baywide premier games this season, against Opotiki and Rotoiti, and will host Greerton tomorrow at Puarenga Park at 2.45pm.

It will be a good test for the Rotorua side who did not concede a try in their first two matches.

Greerton went down 19-28 to Te Puke last Saturday and will be on the hunt for their first win.

Meanwhile, Rotorua's other premier team, Rotoiti, will go on the road to face Rangiuru.

Rangiuru were promoted to the premier grade this year after winning the Baywide division one competition last season.

They put up a good fight last weekend against Mt Maunganui losing the match 36-22.

Rotoiti showed some good signs last weekend as well in their derby match against Whaka.

For long periods of the game they kept the ball well and had Whaka stuck in their own half.

But Rotoiti will need to turn their possession into points tomorrow if they want to walk away with their first win of the season.

Perhaps the match of the round in the Baywide premier competition will be the battle of the bridge, Mt Maunganui versus Tauranga Sports.

Tauranga won all three games last season against the Mount. The games were always close, including the grand final where Tauranga came out on top 21-16.

"We're looking forward to another close battle and to measuring ourselves against Mount Sports," Tauranga Sports coach Mike Rogers said.

Mount Sports coach Rodney Voullaire said his team were up for the challenge after a good pre-season and win last weekend.

"We're hoping for a classic from both teams. A fast, structured and close, ding-dong match."

The match will be played on Mount's home ground Blake Park at 2.45pm. In the other premier games, Te Puna host Rangataua and Te Puke Sports host Opotiki.

Baywide premier rugby draw tomorrow (games start 2.45pm):
Mt Maunganui v Tauranga Sports, Blake Park; Te Puna v Rangataua, Maramatanga Park; Rangiuru v Rotoiti, Centennial Park; Whakarewarewa v Greerton Marist, Puarenga Park; Te Puke Sports v Opotiki, Murray Salt Stadium.