There is plenty of anticipation and optimism, leading into the start of the BOPRU Bartercard Baywide rugby competitions this Saturday (27 March 2010).

While the Baywide contests start in the balmy days of early autumn, there will be real slog through the winter months, before the championship winners are crowned in early August.

Taking centre stage are the ten teams that will chase Premier Division glory. One match that should attract a large crowd, is the game at Murray Salt Stadium, between reigning Baywide Premier champions Tauranga Sports, and their 2009 grand final opponents Te Puke Sports.

The Premier final at the Tauranga Domain was a classic contest with the result in doubt until the final whistle. While Tauranga Sports scored first, the Te Puke side took a 15-13 lead into the half time break.
 
With the prospect of extra time looming late in the second half, Eruera Haimona calmly kicked a penalty - with the Tauranga victory coming with Toby Arnold crossing for a try with time up on the clock. The 31-23 win to Tauranga Sports, gave the side an unprecedented three successive Premier championship titles.

Rotorua sides Whakarewarewa and Rotoiti, have been amongst the heavyweights of the top echelon of Baywide rugby, for the last decade. Both sides make their home grounds virtual fortresses with visitors having to fight to return home with any points.

This weekend Whakarewarewa will have a good test when Rangataua come to call. In the past two years the Western Bay side have become genuine contenders. Rotoiti will hit the road to travel to Maramatanga Park in the Western Bay to face Te Puna.

The last couple of seasons, has brought a real revival of the competitiveness of Eastern Bay of Plenty sides. Last season Opotiki and Whakatane Marist were contender in the top echelon, while Te Teko annexed the Baywide Division One title.

A local Eastern Bay derby, will take centre stage at Rugby Park in Whakatane, where Te Teko and Whakatane Marist will go head to head. Opotiki open their Baywide campaign hosting 2005 Premier champions Mount Maunganui.

The new Baywide format this season, provides automatic promotion to the Premier division next season, for the winner of this years Division One championship. Div One shows the wide spectrum of clubs in Bay of Plenty rugby. From the rural communities of Reporoa and Ruatoki - to Kahukura and Marist St Michaels who have home grounds in the heart of Rotorua City.

Former Premier heavyweight Rangiuru, should have a real battle on their hands, when they play Kahukura at Kuirau Park in the Sulphur City. Marist St Michaels will get a taste of the country travelling to play Ruatoki at Tuhoe Park.

In other Div one encounters Waikite host Greerton Marist, Paroa travel to face Reporoa, and former Premier sides Arataki and Ngongotaha meet in the Western Bay.

Katikati, who returned to Baywide rugby last season, will field a team in the Colts Division for the first time for many years. On Saturday they will host Marist St Michaels at Moore Park.

Ngongotaha kick off the defence of their Baywide Colts title against Te Teko, with last season’s runner-up Te Puke Sports at home to archrivals Tauranga Sports.

BOPRU Bartercard Draws 27 March 2010
Premier Division (2.45pm) Te Teko v Whakatane Marist, Dunderdale Park; Opotiki v Mount Maunganui, Opotiki Reserve; Te Puna v Rotoiti, Maramatanga Park; Whakarewarewa v Rangataua, Puarenga Park; Te Puke Sports v Tauranga Sports, Murray Salt Stadium.

Division One (2.45pm) Waikite v Greerton Marist, Bellvue Park; Ruatoki v Marist St Michaels, Tuhoe Park; Reporoa v Paroa, Reporoa; Kahukura v Rangiuru, Kuirau Park; Arataki v Ngongotaha, Grenada Park.

Colts (1pm) Whakarewarewa v Rangataua, Puarenga Park; Te Puna v Rotoiti, Maramatanga Park; Opotiki v Mount Maunganui, Opotiki Reserve; Greerton Marist v Whakatane Marist, Greerton Park; Katikati v Marist St Michaels, Moore Park; Te Puke Sports v Tauranga Sports, Murray Salt Stadium; Ngongotaha v Te Teko, Ngongotaha Domain