Whakatane Marist who earned a reputation as the Bartercard Baywide Premier competition giant killers in the second round last season – looked to have again picked up that mantle this year.

After sitting in last position on the point’s ledger for most of this season without a victory, they have defeated Te Puna and Opotiki in their last two games.

However the Marist teams biggest challenge of the second half of the season, will come on Saturday (4 June 2011) when they travel to the Western Bay, to face defending Baywide champions Tauranga Sports. Motivation for the Eastern Bay team, is sure to be provided from the second meeting of the two sides last year, where Whakatane Marist prevailed 29-22.

The Whakatane side is coached by one of the best rugby mentors in the country. Matt Te Pou who built the New Zealand Maori team into a real force in his time in charge, is a wily tactician who will be keen to lower the Tauranga Sports colours for the second successive year.

Tauranga Sports however have very vivid memories of the July 2010 loss, and will be fired up to repel the Eastern Bay sides challenge. The Tauranga Domain based side has talent to burn in both their forwards and backline. Alan McRobbie is a young hooker with a real future, with Cullum Armstrong always ready to charge at the opposition from the back of the scrum.

Jason Karauia can slot into just about any position in the backline, while Lewis Hancock and Josh Hall who have alternated wearing the No 9 jersey are both quality pivots.

Rangataua won’t be taking the challenge of Opotiki lightly, when the two teams square off at Te Ariki Park. Honours were shared when they met in the first round in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. with the final score a 38 all draw.

One player that has impressed for Rangataua this season is loose forward Matt Clutterbuck who grabbed two tries against Te Puna last week. Opotiki have two of the most promising youngsters in the region, in the Wilbore twins of Te Amo and Te Hata, with both possessing genuine match-winning abilities.

Mount Maunganui and Waikite could have a forward battle at Blake Park, second placed Whakarewarewa should have little trouble with Te Puna, with the winner of the Te Puke Sports verses Rotoiti match-up at Murray Salt Stadium moving closer to the top four.

Division One leader Greerton Marist, will face a tough encounter when Te Teko visits Greerton Park on the weekend. The Eastern Bay side who were relegated from the top echelon last season, have their sights firmly fixed on a return to the Premier ranks. In round one Te Teko posted a comprehensive 36-14 victory.

Rangiuru who were once a power force in the premier ranks, will face a big test when they host Katikati at Jamieson Oval. The team from the border with Thames Valley, have been a revelation this season after winning promotion to Div One on Baywide Finals day last year.

Marist St Michaels should prove too strong against Ruatoki although the Eastern Bay side has shown improved form lately, Kahukura and Reporoa should have a close contest, with Ngongotaha favoured to defeat Paroa at the Ngongotaha Domain.

BOPRU Bartercard Baywide Draws 4 June 2011
Premier (2.45pm) Mount Maunganui v Waikite, Blake Park; Te Puke Sports v Rotoiti, Murray Salt Stadium; Te Puna v Whakarewarewa, Maramatanga Park; Tauranga Sports v Whakatane Marist, Tauranga Domain; Rangataua v Opotiki, Te Ariki Park.
Points Table: Tauranga Sports 40, Whakarewarewa 38, Rangataua 30, Mount Maunganui 28, Te Puke Sports 25, Rotoiti 24, Waikite 21, Opotiki 21, Whakatane Marist 12, Te Puna 10.

Division One (2.45pm) Marist St Michaels v Ruatoki, Marist Park; Greerton Marist v Te Teko, Greerton Park; Rangiuru v Katikati, Jamieson Oval; Kahukura v Reporoa, Kuirau Park; Ngongotaha v Paroa, Ngongotaha Domain.
Points Table: Greerton Marist 35, Ngongotaha 32, Katikati 32, Te Teko 31, Marist St Michaels 28, Kahukura 27, Rangiuru 21, Paroa 18, Reporoa 13, Ruatoki 2.

Colts – No Play.

For further information contact:
Neil Alton BOPRU Operations Manager 021 570 911