Grassroots sport: Whakarewarewa on a knife edge

Baywide rugby

Lose tomorrow and they are gone for the season - win and Whakarewarewa keep their semi-final bid alive for another week in the Baywide premiership champs.

But it won't be easy for the red and blacks. Last weekend it was the passion of the Opotiki seasiders. Tomorrow it's the cut and thrust of Te Puna at home.

The good news for the Kevin Lee-coached side is the return of speedster Rawiri Tapiata. The try-scoring machine will add thrust to an already potent attacking backline with the likes of Maurice Stone, Doug Edwards and Caleb Ralph.

But what will be worrying all the Whaka supporters is how their team will handle the onslaught of a fired-up Te Puna forward pack.

It's no secret Whaka has one of the smallest packs in the competition but it has never been their size that has let them down. It's been their concentration.

Against Opotiki, the forwards switched off and got shunted off their own ball. The scrum was reset with Opotiki's feed. The Puarenga Park boys were obviously annoyed so in return shunted Opotiki off their ball.

Te Puna will be looking for payback after they were held to a 38-38 draw by Greerton Marist, a game they would have targeted for a win. There is never a warm reception for any side who travels to Te Puke's Maramatanga Park, not only do you take on the 15-man premier side but their passionate supporters as well.

Competition leaders Te Puke Sports travel down the coast to take on Opotiki at Princess Street Reserve.

Despite only losing one game this season, Te Puke have struggled with injuries during the past couple of weeks.

If Opotiki can cut out the basic mistakes they had against Whaka the game is there for the taking. However, Te Puke are a class act this season and, like all good teams, seem to do just enough to escape any real damage.

Rangataua host Tauranga Sports at Te Ariki Park, and although Sports should come away with the win, it won't be a repeat of last weekend were they absolutely smashed Waikite 118-0.

Waikite host Greerton Marist at Bellvue Rd. The season can't come to an end soon enough for the yellow and blacks and the writing is on the wall for them, division one is calling out.

Rotoiti will be looking to stay in the top four when they play Mt Maunganui at home. The lakesiders lost to Te Puke last week but will fancy their chances against the Mount on their home soil of Emery Park.

In division one competition leaders Rangiuru play Reporoa in Te Puke, Marist St Michaels host Whakatane Marist in Rotorua, Kahukura travel to the Eastern Bay to play Paroa, Ruatoki play Te Teko at home and Ngongotaha host Poroporo at Ngongotaha Domain.

Baywide Draw:

Premier: (2.45pm) Rangataua v Tauranga Sports, Te Ariki Park; Waikite v Greerton Marist, Bellvue Road; Te Puna v Whakarewarewa, Maramatanga Park; Rotoiti v Mt Maunganui, Emery Park; Opotiki v Te Puke Sports, Princess Street Reserve.

Division one: (2.45pm) Rangiuru v Reporoa, Te Puke; Marist St Michaels v Whakatane Marist, Marist Park; Paroa v Kahukura, Lawson Park; Ruatoki v Te Teko, Tuhoe Park; Ngongotaha v Poroporo, Ngongotaha Domain.

- Greg Taipari

Motorsport

Gruelling cross-country dirt bike marathons such as the fabled Tarawera 100 require bravery, strength, endurance, cunning and skill in equal doses.

Fortunately for New Zealand MX2 class motocross champion Darryll King, he possesses all those factors in abundance.

The only component that the 43-year-old from Hamilton might lack is horsepower - he's heading to the Kawerau venue this weekend with his trusty Yamaha YZ250 to do battle with the nation's elite cross-country racers, many of whom will be on 450cc bikes.

But King reckons he's still in with a chance of repeating an outright win at the event on Saturday, in much the same way he did when racing a similar YZ250 to victory at the Tarawera 100 event in 2002.

King also finished fourth overall last year, that race won by Mount Maunganui's Cody Cooper, riding a 450cc four-stroke bike.

The 160km race distance from which the event draws its name is typically a battle of doggedness and determination as much as it is a battle of pace and King knows his bike is as durable as they come.

"I'm really looking forward to the race. It's part of my build-up to a couple of international motocross events I am intending to race in the coming months.

"I always try to ride the Tarawera 100 event. It's a great race, a good, high-profile event. My body is ready, willing and able to give it a crack. But everything has to go perfectly on the day if you want to win this event.

"The YZ250 two-stroke starts quickly and that will be important. But I usually have to go a little bit crazy at the start of the race, just to get through traffic, trying to make up a few places before the bikes head into the bush and the course tightens up.

"To be honest, I doubt if I can win it, especially not if Cooper has another good day, but I always ride well at this event and, if I ride smart, who knows what might happen?"

King will have MXDK Yamaha teammate Ethan Martens for company, the young man from Waitakere campaigning a Yamaha YZ450 at the event this year.

After this weekend's big race, King has his sights set on tackling the World Veterans' Motocross Championships at Matterley Basin, near Winchester, in southern England, from August 16-19.

 - Andy McGechan

Football

It's week 14 of the WaiBop Federation League with Taupo and Claudelands Rovers having made a break on the rest at the top of the table, while Otorohanga and Rotorua United are at the bottom where they have been all campaign.

Tomorrow, Taupo meet Rotorua United at Neil Hunt Park and although the leaders have dropped four points in their last three games, it is hard to predict anything but a win over a beleaguered Rotorua side. Taupo won the first game between the two, with the 3-0 scoreline not reflecting their dominance. United will be desperate, but Taupo who went 10 games before they dropped a point will be eager to get back to their winning ways.

Claudelands Rovers, who have emerged as the biggest threat to Taupo, will be favoured to beat Waikato Unicol at Galloway Park.

At Stembridge Rd Ngongotaha play Otumoetai. The Villagers will be looking for their third consecutive win and bolstered by the return of their University students, and with home advantage, their supporters will be optimistic of a good result.

AFC Fury host Old Blues in what promises to be a close encounter, with cellar dwellers Otorohanga having home advantage against Whakatane Town.

Melville United and Tauranga Boys' College do not have a game.

With a third of the season to go there are still plenty of points on offer. It remains to be seen which teams can take advantage.

Division One points:Taupo played 13, points 34, Claudelands (13) 33, Melville (14) 24, Fury (14) 21, Otumoetai (11) 16, Unicol, Whakatane, Ngongotaha (12) 15, Old Blues (13) 15, Tauranga Boys' (13) 13, Rotorua United (13) 8, Otorohanga (12) 5.

In Division two, Tauranga City and Cambridge are looking likely to be the two to gain promotion to division one with Tauranga favoured to win the division.

Tomorrow Tauranga are at home against Clube Alegria who after a good start to the season have fallen off the pace while Cambridge have the bye and Tokoroa host Matamata.

Division Two points: Tauranga 33, Cambridge 27, Clube Alegria 24, Katikati 21, Te Awamutu, Tokoroa 15, Rotorua United 10, West Hamilton 8, Matamata 4.

- Brian Smith