With the Chiefs playing a game in the Bay this week, it seemed like a good time to announce the 7th Annual Mafia awards for the NPC season 2009. Thanks to the people who took the trouble to vote.

This is the 7th year of Mafia awards, click on the year to see the details.

Tauranga Sports posted a come from behind victory, in the first round of the Bartercard Baywide Premier competition, when they defeated Te Puke Sports 27-17 in a replay of last year’s premier grand final.

While defending Baywide premier champions Tauranga Sports, took a 10-6 lead into the half-time break – Te Puke hit the lead in the second spell, before the visitors ran in two tries late in the match, to grab a dramatic victory. The first round Tauranga victory follows last years Baywide final stanza, where they also prevailed 31-23.

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 start of the Bay of Plenty club rugby season this Saturday (27 March 2010) brings an exciting new competition format.

The new format is based upon two Baywide divisions of ten teams, supported by strong local division rugby competitions. The new format came after extensive consultation with the Bay of Plenty rugby community during the 2009 season.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Operations Manager Mike Rogers said “that the major benefit of the new competition format, is that it creates potential for competitive competitions across all grades of Bay of Plenty rugby”. “The new initiative also provides the opportunity to retain the hugely successful Bartercard Club finals day.”