The Easter holiday break provides three days of Bartercard Baywide rugby, kicking off on Thursday evening (1 April 2010) when Te Puna host Te Puke Sports, under lights at Maramatanga Park.

Both the two combatants on Thursday evening, were on the wrong end of results in the opening round of the Baywide top echelon last weekend, and will be desperate to put points on the board at Maramatanga Park.

Te Puna had a real tussle with Rotoiti last week, coming back from a 16 point deficit to touch down two tries late in the encounter, to lose 31-27. By contrast Te Puke Sports led defending premier champions Tauranga Sports, before the Tauranga side swept past the hosts with two converted tries, to take out the match 27-17.

The three Bay of Plenty regions will host a premier game apiece on Easter Friday. At the Tauranga Domain Tauranga Sports will be at home when Eastern Bay side Te Teko comes to call.

Taking aim at a fourth successive Baywide crown, Tauranga Sports have no illusions that they are the target in each of their Baywide matches. The introduction of several newcomers including cricket star Te Ahu Davis, looks to have strengthened the Western Bay side.

Last weekend Te Teko had a real battle in their Eastern Bay local derby with Whakatane Marist. A feature of the 18-14 win was the three tries scored by last years Division One champions.

In the Rotorua region, Rotoiti will welcome the Mount Maunganui challengers, who intend to take away the home teams season unbeaten record. Rotoiti make Emery Park a fortress, and any points that visitors take home are usually the result of a real battle.

While Mount Maunganui had to settle for a 25 all draw with Opotiki last week, they will want to return home with a highly prized victory over Rotoiti at Emery Park, on their ledger card.

The Easter Friday match-up at Rugby Park in Whakatane, between Whakatane Marist and Rotorua heavyweight Whakarewarewa, should attract a good-sized crowd.

The sole top echelon game on Saturday, could be a fast paced affair with Rangataua at home at Te Ariki Park to Opotiki. The home side have a reputation from attacking from deep in their own half. Revenge will be on the mind of the Eastern Bay side after losing their last game against Rangataua by just two points.

In Division One, the Saturday game at the Ngongotaha Domain, between the home team and Rangiuru will take centre stage in the second echelon. Ngongotaha were one of the real heavyweights of the Baywide top echelon in the 1990’s, and have set their sights of playing in the premier division again.

Te Puke based Rangiuru laid their cards on the table last weekend, defeating former premier contenders Kahukura 50-16. With Bob Moorhead again in charge of coaching duties, the Te Puke side are looking like genuine championship contenders.

In other Div One matches Kahukura host Reporoa, Waikite and Ruatoki meet at Bellvue Road, St Michaels host Arataki and Greerton Marist and Paroa go head to head at Greerton Park.

Bartercard Baywide Rugby Draws 1/3 April 2010
1st April (Thursday)
Premier: Te Puna v Te Puke Sports, Maramatanga Park (7.30pm)
2nd April (Friday)
Premier: Rotoiti v Mount Maunganui, Emery Park (1.30pm) Whakatane Marist v Whakarewarewa, Rugby Park (2.30pm) Tauranga Sports v Te Teko, Tauranga Domain (2.45pm)
Division One: Kahukura v Reporoa, Kuirau Park (2.45pm) Waikite v Ruatoki, Bellvue Road (2.30pm) Ngongotaha v Rangiuru, Ngongotaha Domain (2.45pm)
3rd April (Saturday)
Premier: Rangataua v Opotiki, Te Ariki Park (2.45pm)
Division One St Michaels v Arataki, Marist Park (2.45pm); Greerton Marist v Paroa, Greerton Park (2.45pm)
Colts – No Play.