Ngongotaha start out strongly

The Ngongotaha Rugby League Club have sent a loud and clear message around the league community that they are not to be taken lightly this season.

It is early days, but the club is shaping up to be the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the competition, with both their top grade side and feeder side sitting at the top of their respective tables.

The newly promoted club won their opening Bay of Plenty premier match 54-10 against Turangi last weekend, while their reserve grade side demolished Tauhara 46-6.

The premier side will face off against Tokoroa's Pacific Rugby League Club, who also won their first match of the season, today at 2.30pm at Puketawhero Park.

Ngongotaha is boasting its largest player base in recent history which will go a long way towards results this season.

Rotorua's only other premier-division side, Pikiao, will be looking to tighten up their defence today when they host Turangi at Puketawhero Park at 2.30pm.

Pikiao leaked like a sieve last weekend in their 54-34 loss against Taupo.

Pikiao manager Lexia Lingman said coach Doug Unuwai had been stressing the importance of fitness at training.

She said the side had kept most of their players from last year, and had added some new players, so the key was just getting the side fit and connecting well on the field.

Lingman said the side would be looking to build confidence during their match today.

The other premier match today will see Taupo hosting Forestland (Tokoroa) at Hickling Park.

Reserve grade matches start at 1pm today including Ngongotaha v Pacific (Puketawhero Park), Putaruru v Tauhara (Putaruru), Pikiao v Reporoa (Puketawhero Park), Taupo v Central (Hickling Park), Mangakino bye.