Rugby: Whaka must sidestep Mount

Whakarewarewa will play Mount Maunganui this weekend in a match that could have a big impact on the top-four picture. Above is Whaka player Kimo Houltham. Photo / Stephen Parker

The hunt for a spot in the top four in the Baywide premier rugby competition is heating up.

A shorter Baywide premier season in 2015 has added extra importance to every fixture this year.

While undefeated sides Te Puke and Tauranga Sports have created a gap at the top of the ladder, the race for third and fourth is turning into a fascinating contest.

After five rounds there is only one competition point separating third-placed Rotoiti (16 points) and sixth-placed Whakarewarewa (15 points).

Rangataua (16 points) and Mount Maunganui (15 points) are the two sides currently sandwiched between third and sixth.

This weekend the match that looks most likely to have a say on the final outcome of who the top four will be is Mount Maunganui versus Whakarewarewa at Blake Park.

The two sides will be well aware of the importance of the match, which will no doubt help determine who makes the semifinals in July.

Whaka are coming off two big defeats to Tauranga Sports and Te Puke and will be hungry for their first win in three outings.

Meanwhile, Mount defeated Te Puna 41-19 last weekend, bouncing back from a defeat to Rotoiti the week before.

Rotoiti are starting to get their tails up this season after back-to-back wins against Mount and Opotiki.

They will play host to a solid Whakatane Marist side tomorrow at Emery Park.

In other matches, Waikite face another tough match away against Te Puke, Tauranga Sports will host Paroa, Opotiki will play at home against Te Puna, and Greerton Marist will play Rangataua.

Rangataua are looking for their fourth win in a row when they meet Greerton.

"We didn't perform too well in the first round, but we are now getting our act together," Rangataua coach Murray Ririnui said.

"We will respect Greerton.

"They are a great team and will be treated with the greatest of respect.

"We will need ... to do our basics right."

Baywide rugby draw for tomorrow:
•Premier (2.45pm): Mount Maunganui vs Whakarewarewa at Blake Park, Greerton Marist vs Rangataua at Greerton Park, Opotiki vs Te Puna at Princess Street Reserve, Rotoiti vs Whakatane Marist at Emery Park, Tauranga Sports vs Paroa at Tauranga Domain, Te Puke Sports vs Waikite at Murray Salt Stadium.
•Premier development kick-off at 1pm.
•Division One (2.45pm): Arataki vs Rangiuru at Arataki Park, Judea vs Poroporo at Maharaia Winiata Park, Katikati vs Galatea at Moore Park, Marist St Michael's vs Kahukura at Marist Park, Ngongotaha vs Ruatoki at Ngongotaha Domain, Reporoa vs Te Teko at Reporoa.