The real surprise package in the Baywide section one rugby competition this season has been Kahukura. Unheralded at the start of the season the Kuirau Park based side has impressed many with four wins.

Under the astute guidance of Coach Ron Preston, Kahukura have played no nonsense rugby, to currently sit in sixth place on the points ledger. This Saturday (10 May 2008) they face their biggest challenge of the season when they host Rotoiti.

An undefeated run by the Rotorua lakesiders ended last weekend when they were beaten by Mount Maunganui. A fired up challenge from Rotoiti - eager to get their Baywide title hopes back on track is the likely scenario at Kuirau Park.

Top of the table Whakarewarewa should showcase their considerable talent when they host Whakatane Marist at Puarenga Park. While the Eastern Bay side, have been competitive in the top echelon this season, they are unlikely to be able to combat the Whaka firepower.

The winner of the contest at Blake Park, between Mount Maunganui and Te Puke Sports, will see the victor cement their position near the top of the section one points table. Both sides have shown solid form interspersed with two losses apiece.

A real rivalry will be continued at the Tauranga Domain with Tauranga Sports hosting Rangataua. Last weekend saw Tauranga Sports rebound from defeat, by comprehensively beating Te Puke Sports, with Rangataua scrapping home from Opotiki.

The battle to make the top eight is the main ingredient in the clash between Te Teko and Te Puna. With the two teams near the bottom of points ladder, the fight to avoid relegation to division one, will be on the minds of both teams. In the remaining match Opotiki at home should be too good for Waikite.

In section two near neighbors Papamoa and Arataki could have a good old-fashioned arm wrestle at Grenada Park. Greerton Marist should remain the only unbeaten team in the second echelon when they face Marist St Michaels - while second placed Ngongotaha should be too strong against Reporoa. 

The race for the Colts title hot’s up this weekend, in a top of the table meeting between Mount Maunganui and Te Puke Sports, at Blake Park. With both sides having unblemished records this season, the winner will pick up the early favourite mantle for silverware later in the season.

Fourth place Whakarewarewa should have little trouble picking up another win when they play Whakatane Marist - while the match between Tauranga Sports and Rangataua could go down to the wire.

In the Under 19 grade unbeaten Opotiki should receive a real challenge from Greerton Marist. In the other encounter Taneatua will make the long journey to Thames Valley to play Hauraki North.

Section One Points Table: Whakarewarewa 26, Tauranga Sports 24, Rotoiti 22, Te Puke Sports 20, Mount Maunganui 19, Kahukura 17, Rangataua 16, Opotiki 10, Whakatane Marist 9, Te Teko 7, Te Puna 5, Waikite 2.

BOPRU Draws 10 May 2008

Section One: (All games 2.45pm) Te Teko v Te Puna, Dunderdale Park; Opotiki v Waikite, Opotiki Reserve; Whakarewarewa v Whakatane Marist, Puarenga Park; Mount Maunganui v Te Puke Sports, Blake Park; Kahukura v Rotoiti, Kuirau Park; Tauranga Sports v Rangataua, Tauranga Domain.

Section Two (All games 2.45pm) Kawerau v Poroporo, Firmin Field; Ngongotaha v Reporoa, Ngongotaha Domain; Arataki v Papamoa, Grenada Park; Paroa v Judea, Lawson Park; Greerton Marist v Marist St Michaels, Greerton Park; Rangiuru v Taneatua, Jamieson Oval.

Colts (All games 1pm) Tauranga Sports v Rangataua, Tauranga Domain; Arataki v Rotoiti, Grenada Park; Mount Maunganui v Te Puke Sports, Murray Salt Stadium; Whakarewarewa v Whakatane Marist, Puarenga Park; Kahukura v Greerton Marist, Kuirau Park; Ngongotaha v Waikite, Ngongotaha Domain; Te Teko v Te Puna, Dunderdale Park.

Under 19 (All games 1pm) Hauraki North v Taneatua, Waitakururu Domain; Greerton Marist v Opotiki, Greerton Park; Te Puna the bye.