Rugby: Top premier matches heat up for Easter

Two Baywide premier rugby matches have been shifted to tomorrow afternoon in a Good Friday move that will likely see larger crowds.

Sports Opotiki will look to keep the ball rolling away from home against Rotoiti, while Rangataua and Mount Maunganui will be looking for their first win of the season at Ariki Park.

Tauranga Sports will host Whakarewarewa in a top of the table clash in the unfamiliar confines of Blake Park on Saturday.

But a grudge match between Te Puna and Te Puke, the first home game for promoted Paroa and a revamped schedule are the big talking points leading into the second round of the Premier Baywide rugby competition.

Te Puna fans cannot wait for the weekend to see their team host Te Puke Sports - and will not have to. Their side will see the defending champions under lights at Maramatanga Park tonight due to changes to the Easter weekend schedule, and will be intent on reversing the lopsided score that knocked them out last year.

Te Puke Sports coach Craig Jeffries is under no illusions what will be waiting for his side.

"They are hard to beat at the best of times, especially under lights at home," said Jeffries.

He said the fact his side ruined Te Puna's semifinal aspirations with a 64-22 thumping in last season's final round will do little to change that.

The two-time reigning champions will be without the services of several key players for the clash between two of the unbeaten sides, with Solomon King having departed for Japan, Ben Ward in doubt with a broken nose and Dan Goodwin ruled out through work commitments. Jeffries described the tight 24-18 opening round win over newly promoted Paroa as "a little bit of a shambles".

"The less said about that the better," said Jeffries, though he praised Paroa's forward pack and back three.

He said Paroa proved they belong in the competition and would likely topple a few teams this season.

In Division One, the match-up between promoted Katikati and last season's beaten finalists Rangiuru at Moore Park tomorrow headlines the second round.

Ngongotaha host Waikite tomorrow afternoon.

On Saturday, Kahukura will play first-round strugglers Marist St Michael's, while Whakatane travel to play Te Teko at Dunderdale Park.

Premier: March 28 - 7pm: Te Puna v Te Puke Sports (Maramatanga Park 1). March 29 - 2.45pm: Rangataua v Mount Maunganui (Te Ariki Park 1). March 29 - 2.45pm: Rotoiti v Sports Opotiki (Emery Park 1). March 30 - 2.45pm: Paroa v Greerton Marist (Lawson Park 1). March 30 - 2.45pm: Tauranga Sports v Whakarewarewa (Blake Park 1).

Division One: March 27 - 6pm: Ruataki Division 1 v Poroporo Division 1 (Poroporo Park 1). March 29 - 2.30pm: Ngongotaha Division 1 v Waikite Division 1 (Ngongotaha Domain 1). March 29 - 2.45pm: Katikati Div 1 v Rangiuru Senior A (Moore Park 1). March 30 - 2.45pm: Kahukura Division 1 v Marist St Michael's Division 1 (Kuirau Park 2). March 30 - 2.45pm: Te Teko Division 1 v Whakatane Marist Division 1 (Dunderdale Park 1).