Write the Whakarewarewa team, out of contention for the Bartercard Baywide Premier title race at you peril, is the message from the myriad of Whaka club members and supporters.

While the Rotorua club, who have a proud history in the top echelon of Baywide rugby, sits second last on the point’s ledger – the battle has just started for Whakarewarewa. When the weather is at its worst in the middle of winter, the troops from Puarenga Park, will be warming to their environment.

This Saturday (24 April 2010) they face the challenge one day before Anzac Day, from Te Puke Sports, who also sit in an uncustomary position outside the top four. There is one certainty in the game to be played out at Whaka headquarters - that both teams will give there all in what should be a battle royal.

One of the combatants at Blake Park will lose their season unbeaten record, when Mount Maunganui takes on defending Baywide champions Tauranga Sports. The annual battle of the bridge matches up two of the real heavyweights of Baywide rugby in the last decade.

Tauranga Sports have a real match winner in flying winger Matt Hodson, who was at his elusive best against Opotiki last weekend. The Tauranga Domain based side has also added a more than useful kicker to their ranks this season, with former Tauranga Boys player Nic Evemy in good form.

Former Hawkes Bay representative Dan Waenga and Steamers outside back Cory Aporo, both touched down for tries for the Mount last weekend. With a nucleus of a number of long time team stalwarts, Mount Maunganui is likely to give Tauranga Sports their first real test of the season.

Te Puna who have started the season with a bang and sit in third equal spot on the points tally - will need to be at their best, if they wish to return home form the Eastern Bay with the scalp of Opotiki Sports. While the side has few individual stars, the Blue and Black brigade lay down their pride and passion for there team mates each week.

The big improvers in the Baywide top echelon in the last two seasons are the team who represent Opotiki. The side possesses two potential match winners. Last years Steamers hooker Dean Elmiger can blast holes in the opposition defence at will, and sharp shooting kicker Sam Howe is able to heavily punish teams for their mistakes.

The quite achiever of the Premier competition has been Rotoiti, who sit comfortably in second position. This weekend they visit Te Teko at Dunderland Park, and are likely to make life difficult for the Eastern Bay side. Rangataua will be chasing their first win of the season when they venture to the Eastern Bay to meet Whakatane Marist.

Waikite who top the ladder in Division one with an unbeaten record, should prove too strong for Reporoa in Reporoa. Second place Rangiuru will want to put last week’s defeat inflicted by Waikite behind them when they host Ruatoki.

In other Div One encounters Arataki are at home to fellow Western Bay side Greerton Marist, Paroa and Marist St Michaels meet at Lawson Park, with Kahukura and Ngongtaha engaging in a local Rotorua derby.

Surprise Colts competition leaders Greerton Marist, should prove too good for fellow Marist side St Michaels. The curtain raiser at Blake Park between Mount Maunganui and Tauranga sees the Oliver Cup, which is the Western Bay challenge trophy, on the line.

Opotiki and Te Puna should have a close encounter in the Eastern Bay, with the curtain raiser at Puarenga Park between Whaka and Te Puke Sports likely to go down to the wire.
 
BOPRU Bartercard Baywide Draws 24 April 2010
Premier (2.45pm)
Whakarewarewa v Te Puke Sports, Puarenga Park; Te Teko v Rotoiti, Dunderdale Park; Opotiki v Te Puna, Opotiki Reserve; Mount Maunganui v Tauranga Sports, Blake Park; Rangataua v Whakatane Marist, Te Ariki Park.

Premier Points Table
Tauranga Sports 18, Rotoiti 15, Mount Maunganui 14, Te Puna 14, Opotiki 11, Te Puke Sports 10, Whakatane Marist 7 Te Teko 7, Whakarewarewa 5, Rangataua 4.

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

Colts (1pm)
Opotiki v Te Puna, Opotiki Reserve; Mount Maunganui v Tauranga Sports, Blake Park; Rangataua v Whakatane Marist, Te Ariki Park; Te Teko v Rotoiti, Dunderdale Park; Whakarewarewa v Te Puke Sports, Puarenga Park; Ngongotaha v Katikati, Ngongotaha Domain; Marist St Michaels v Greerton Marist, Marist Park.