A high flying Whakarewarewa will look to claim its first Western Bay of Plenty scalp in this weekend's round of clashes in the Bayfair Baywide Premier Rugby Competition.

Round 3 sees the unbeaten Rotorua side host Greerton Marist, with the former already notching up 135 points in its opening two matches.

Tauranga Sports' halfback Josh Hall look to get a kick away against Rotoiti. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

While Greerton Marist will want to produce a win away from home with their young team.

So far this season Whakarewarewa have been one of the form teams crushing Paroa 91-7 and then Rangataua 44-22. Greerton Marist are yet to open their Bayfair Baywide Premier Rugby Competition account losing 34-25 to Rotoiti and then 28-22 to Te Puna.

Whakarewarewa coach Kopae Irihei says the side is excited with how they have performed at the start of the championship, but isn't getting ahead of what the Greerton side can offer.

'We are looking forward to the match against Greerton Marist; they upset us last year, so we will not be reading too much into their current form to date.

'We will be focusing on what we are doing and hope everything else falls into place, we are quietly confident we can match any team in the competition.”

Greerton Marist coach Kevin Lee is pleased with how his side is tracking given the average age of the team is rather young, especially in the forwards.

He realises it will be a tough game, especially as Whakarewarewa are at home and at the top of their game being co-leaders of the championship.

'The key to being competitive with Whakarewarewa is 100 per cent commitment for 100 per cent of the game.”

In other matches the winless Opotiki host Mount Maunganui, Rotoiti is at home to Te Puke Sports, form team Tauranga Sports is away to Te Puna, Waikite and Rangataua clash at Bellevue Road, and Whakatane Marist is at home to Paroa.

In Division 1, the clash of the round is between Galatea and Ruatoki – both looking to get their first win on the board.

Galatea has suffered two losses heading into the third round of the Bayfair Baywide Division 1 competition, falling to Rangiuru and Marist St Michael's in successive weeks. They will be looking to work to their strengths, to produce a win this weekend.

Ruatoki coach Maaki Pouwhare is confident they can come away with the win; providing they stick to basics, keep their game structure and execute the game plan.

'Galatea is a forwards orientated team and we believe we have the forwards to match them. We will look to apply pressure and hold onto our possession up front”.

A big weekend is also in store for the Bayfair Baywide Women's grade.

Ngongotaha and Te Whanau Apanui clash at theNgongotaha Domain, with both teams pleased to be involved with this year's competition.

Ngongotaha has registered a win and a loss so far this season will Apanui has lost both its opening two matches.

Ngongotaha coach Tamahau Palmer says the side has come a long way since their first preseason game against Waikite, but still have a lot to work on if they want to be near that top four.

'Waikite and Arataki are the bench mark of the competition and where we want to be. Our team has a number of players that are first timers to rugby and grow with confidence and each week, the ladies are keen to listen and learn which is a bonus.”

Palmer can call upon a number of seasoned veterans this season in Janina Khan, Lisa Mansel and Aroha Taipeti – something that can only be good for the side going forward.

'All in all a great bunch of lady's that are willing to learn and play for the Ngongotaha jersey.”

'It's great to see Apanui in the competition and the commitment they have shown, not only fielding a team but to do the amount of traveling they do every second Sunday is amazing. The Ngongotaha ladies are looking forward to the game and hosting the Apanui team.”

Te Whanau Apanui Coach, Tangaroa Demant is excited about what the competition is providing.

Demant adds their games against Waimana and Tokoroa have prepared the side well for this Sunday's match.

'We have a good bunch of women who are competitive and want to continue to develop their game.”

'It is fantastic to have the support from the union, and to be a part of the development and progression of women's rugby”.

This Saturday's draw:

Premier:

Opotiki vs Mt Maunganui at Princess St Reserve

Rotoiti vs Te Puke Sports at Emery Park

Te Puna vs Tauranga Sports at Maramatanga Park

Whakarewarewa vs Greerton Marist at Puarenga Park

Waikite vs Rangataua at Bellvue Road

Whakatane Marist vs Paroa at Rugby Park

Kick off at 2.45pm Premier

Development Kick off at 1pm

Division 1:

Galatea vs Ruatoki at Galatea Domain 3

Kahukura vs Judea at Kuirau Park

Katikati vs Arataki at Moore Park

Rangiuru vs Poroporo at Centennial Park Te Puke

Reporoa vs Marist St Michael's at Reporoa

Te Teko vs Ngongotaha at Dunderdale Park

Kick off at 2.45pm

Women (Sunday at 1pm):

Ngongotaha vs Apanui at Ngongotaha Domain

Tokoroa vs Arataki at Tokoroa

Waikite vs Rotoiti at Bellvue Road

Tauranga Sports vs Waimana at Tauranga Domain