Bartercard Baywide Rugby Preview 29 July 2010

The cutthroat nature of post section rugby, means there are no second chances in the semi-finals of the Bartercard Baywide rugby championships to be played on Saturday (31 July 2010).

In the Premier division defending champions Tauranga Sports, have taken aim on an unprecedented four successive Baywide crowns. The Tauranga Domain based side will play archrivals Te Puke Sports at the Tauranga Domain, in a replay of last seasons championship decider.

Te Puke Sports have been perennial top four finishers in the last decade, without being able to lift aloft the championship trophy in victory. The Te Puke Premiers stood in despair after the Grand Final last year, as they let a real opportunity to annex their first Baywide championship, slip from their grasp late in the game going down 31-23.

Tauranga Sports have won both contests with their arch rivals this season, taking the out the season opener 27-17, then coasting to victory in the round two posting a 37-10 victory. The great equaliser this weekend could be the Tauranga Steamers players, who aren’t available for the post section play.

Mount Maunganui who host the other semi-final, will meet Rotorua heavyweight Rotoiti at Blake Park. The two combatants go into the encounter with contrasting records last weekend. Mount Maunganui were on a Whakarewarewa backlash of not making the semi-finals, with the Mount being defeated 52-19. Rotoiti ground out a narrow victory against Opotiki, clinching a 30-28 victory.

However season honours lie firmly with Mount Maunganui, in the two games against Rotoiti played during the round robin competition. A narrow 32-26 win was followed by a 38-3 victory in round two.

Waikite are the only Baywide team, to take an unbeaten record into the Division One semi-finals. Just a 27 all draw with Rangiuru stains the Rotorua side’s season ledger card. Waikite’s home ground at Bellvue Road is the venue of their post section match-up with Kahukura.

Rangiuru, who have also been in rampant form with just two losses from eighteen games, will host Ngongotaha at Jamieson Oval in Te Puke.

While the Baywide Colts have one game of round robin play remaining this weekend, the cutthroat nature of the championship, will see just the top two graduate to the Grand Final on the first Saturday in August.

Te Puke Sports who have already qualified for the final stanza, will want to defend there season unbeaten record, when they host Opotiki at Murray Salt Stadium.

The second spot in the championship decider, will go to the winner of the Tauranga Sports encounter with Greerton Marist at Greerton headquarters.

The first Baywide final of the season will be played at Marist Park on Saturday. The Baywide Colts consolation final will be fought out between home side Marist St Michaels and Te Puna.

In Division Two Katikati will meet fellow Western Bay side Judea, for the third time in four weeks at Moore Park. Katikati who recently won the Western Bay championship, are chasing the Div Two title after annexing the Division Three crown last season. The other semi-final will be fought out between Porporo and Kawerau in the Eastern Bay.

Former Senior Reserve champions Mount Maunganui host Rangataua, while Whakarewarewa and Opotiki will battle for a place in the Senior Reserve final at Puarenga Park.

BOPRU Bartercard Baywide Draws 31 July 2010

Premier Semi-Finals (2.45pm) Tauranga Sports v Te Puke Sports, Tauranga Domain; Mount Maunganui v Rotoiti, Blake Park.
Division One Semi-Finals (2.45pm) Waikite v Kahukura, Bellvue Road; Rangiuru
v Ngongotaha, Jamieson Oval.

Division Two Semi-Finals (2.45pm) Katikati v Judea, Moore Park; Poroporo
v Kawerau, Poroporo Park.
Colts Division One (1pm) Te Puke Sports v Opotiki, Murray Salt Stadium; Mount Maunganui v Ngongotaha, Blake Park; Greerton Marist v Tauranga Sports, Greerton Park.
Points: Te Puke Sports 19, Tauranga Sports 12, Greerton Marist 10, Ngongotaha 8, Mount Maunganui 5, Opotiki 4.

Colts Division Two Final (1pm) Marist St Michaels v Te Puna, Marist Park.
Senior Reserve Semi-Finals (1pm) Mount Maunganui v Rangataua, Blake Park; Whakarewarewa v Opotiki, Puarenga Park

For further information contact:
Mike Rogers BOPRU Operations Manager
DDI 07 927 1316 029 478 4292