With just three rounds remaining before the top eight to contest the Baywide Premier championship are found – attention this Saturday (24 May 2008) is focused on the middle of the section one point’s table, where several teams are battling for survival.

With Whakarewarewa, Tauranga Sports, Mount Maunganui, Rotoiti and Te Puke Sports seemingly secure in the top eight (bar a team meltdown) the race is on for the teams sitting in sixth to ninth place.

No game assumes more importance this weekend, than the clash at Kuirau Park between Kahukura and Rangataua. With one point (and two places on the ledger card) separating the teams – the victor will take a significant step to a top eight berth, while the loser will have a fight for survival on their hands.

Kahukura have been a revelation this season – written off at season start, the team based at Kuirau Park, has posted four wins and sit in sixth possie. The Western Bay visitors, are not such a potent force away from Te Ariki Park, although they can storm the try line from anywhere on the field.

Te Teko, has come from the bottom of the point’s ladder - to string together three wins in a row to now be in the mix for a premier berth. They face a real challenge to advance meeting Rotoiti at Dunderlale Park. One advantage they take into the clash with one of the Baywide heavyweights, is the voice of their passionate and vocal supporters at home.

Two teams with a just sniff of a top eight finish will go to battle at Maramatanga Park. While Te Puna and Whakatane Marist sit near the bottom of the ladder - the winner could have a theoretical chance of sneaking into the premier championship.

An interesting match-up will take place at Puarenga Park where competition leaders Whakarewarewa will take on Te Puke Sports. The Western Bay side recovered from two successive losses to demolish Kahukura last weekend.

Mount Maunganui, who has been quietly racking up victories, could have a real tussle with Opotiki at Blake Park while Tauranga Sports should be too good for Waikite.

In section two Greerton Marist lead the way from Ngongotaha by a solitary point. This Saturday, Greerton should be too classy for Poroporo in the Western Bay, with Ngongotaha taking on Arataki.

In the Colts division, Mount Maunganui has established a five-point lead, over Whakarewarewa and Te Puke Sports. The game of the round should be the curtain raiser at Puarenga Park, where Whaka will host Te Puke Sports.

A local Eastern Bay derby will see Opotiki take on Taneatua in the Under 19 grade while Hauraki North will travel to play Te Puna at Maramatanga Park.

Baywide Section One Points Table

Whakarewarewa (36) Tauranga Sports (33) Mount Maunganui (28) Rotoiti (26) Te Puke Sports (25) Kahukura (18) Te Teko (17) Rangataua (17) Opotiki (15) Whakatane Marist (10) Te Puna (10) Waikite (4).

BOPRU Draws 24 May 2008

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

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

Colts (All games 1pm) Te Teko v Arataki, Dunderland Park; Mount Maunganui v Ngongotaha, Blake Park; Whakarewarewa v Te Puke Sports, Puarenga Park; Rotoiti v Greerton Marist, Emery Park; Kahukura v Rangataua, Kuirau Park; Te Puna v Whakatane Marist, Maramatanga Park; Tauranga Sports v Waikite, Tauranga Domain.

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