The Ngongotaha Chiefs will go up against a quality Otumoetai Eels side in Tauranga tomorrow. Pictured is Ngongotaha's Esera Filipo scoring a try last weekend. Photo / Stephen Parker
The Ngongotaha Chiefs will go up against a quality Otumoetai Eels side in Tauranga tomorrow. Pictured is Ngongotaha's Esera Filipo scoring a try last weekend. Photo / Stephen Parker
After a thrilling draw to start the season - Pikiao and Ngongotaha will now go in search of their first wins of the year.
The Bay of Plenty Coastline premier competition kicked off last weekend, with Otumoetai and Pacific (Tokoroa) both picking up wins while Pikiao and Ngongotaha battled outa 32-all draw.
Rotorua's two best sides, Pikiao and Ngongy, will now face off against Mangakino and Otumoetai respectively tomorrow. While the form book suggests Pikiao will be too good for Mangakino, Ngongotaha will be up against a quality Otumoetai team in Tauranga. Otumoetai managed to defeat Taupo 18-17 away last weekend and will give Ngongotaha a good run for their money.
Meanwhile, the most emphatic result to come out of round one was the Pacific Sharks performance against Mangakino, which saw them win 82-16. They face a much tougher assignment tomorrow away against Taupo, and will get a better idea of where they stand in the tough premier competition.
Meanwhile, in the reserve grade, Central (Rotorua) had an impressive performance in round one, beating Pikiao reserves 50-20. They will face off against Otumoetai reserves in round two as they look to carry on that good form tomorrow.
In the other reserve-grade matches, Reporoa will look to get their first win of the season against Pikiao reserves, and Taupo will host Pacific.
In division one, Forestland (Tokoroa) look like the team to beat after a big 72-8 win over Papamoa last weekend. They will play Tauhara tomorrow in Tokoroa.
In the other division one games, Papamoa will play Putauaki, and Whakatane host Putaruru.
•Draw for Saturday (round two): Premier (2.30pm): Pikiao v Mangakino, Puketawhero Park; Otumoetai v Ngongotaha, Mitchell Park; Taupo v Pacific, Hickling Park.
Reserve grade (12.45pm): Pikiao v Reporoa, Puketawhero Park; Otumoetai v Central, Mitchell Park; Taupo v Pacific, Hickling Park.
Division One (1pm): Papamoa v Putauaki, Gordon Spratt Reserve; Whakatane v Putaruru, Taneatua Domain; Forestland v Tauhara, Memorial Park.
