Waikite aim to carry on winning

ROTORUA RUGBY: Waikite, in black and yellow against Whaka last season, will look to continue their good early-season form today against Ngongotaha. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER A - 090313SP4

Waikite are looking to carry their undefeated streak into the Baywide Division One competition this year.

The Baywide Division One competition has been scaled back to only one round this year and will get underway on May 24.

In the meantime, some of Rotorua's top rugby clubs have been hotly contesting the Central Bay of Plenty Local Senior Competition.

Waikite have won all their games in the competition and will host Ngongotaha today in their semifinal match. Kahukura will host Marist St Michael's in the other semifinal.

Waikite coach Charles Te Kowhai said it was a great chance to prepare for the big Baywide competition. "We are focussed on the Baywide competition and we want to make sure we have good preparation, and that includes this competition."

He said they had changed a lot of their structures this year to promote attacking rugby.

"We have been well-known for playing a forward-dominated game in the past but we have changed our structures this year to play more attacking rugby," he said.

"It has taken a while to get our head around it and we still have a way to go."

He said it was a good change and the players were enjoying their rugby this year. He said they would be focussed on developing their style of play today against Ngongotaha and it would also give their young backline more time to play together.

Te Kowhai said Ngongotaha would give them a good challenge and there was plenty of local pride at stake.

That match will be played at Bellvue Road at 2.30pm. The other semifinal will be played at Kuirau Park at the same time.

All four clubs in the semifinals will compete in the Baywide Division One competition starting in a couple of weeks.

Central Bay of Plenty Local Senior Competition semifinals today
(games start at 2.30pm):
Waikite v Ngongotaha, Bellvue Rd
Kahukura v Marist St Michael's, Kuirau Park