Finals footy begins

It is shaping up to be a blockbusting weekend of rugby in the Bay of Plenty with two mouth-watering top of the table clashes and women's final on the menu.

While many will be turning their attention to the Super Rugby final Wellington, the business end of the Bayfair Baywide competitions are heating up with just two rounds remaining before the playoffs.

Tauranga Sports have secured nine bonus point wins so far this year. Photo: Tracy Hardy

And there won't be a bigger match in this year's round robin than the top of the table clash between the premier competition's two undefeated side – Tauranga Sports and Te Puke Sports.

The two sides are assured a playoff berth with 45 and 42 points respectively, leaders Tauranga Sports snatching a three point lead thanks to nine bonus point wins compared to Te Puke's six.

Te Puke Sports will be playing in a pink strip in support of women with breast cancer. There will be a $5 charge per adult on the day with all proceeds going to Tauranga Breast Cancer Support services.

Te Puke Sports secretary Deborah Keenleyside says like most sports club, they take a lot from the community with funding and sponsorship, and this is their way of giving something back.

She says breast cancer is a major concern in the local community, with Te Puke having one of the highest rates of it within NZ.

'We have pre-sold 25 pink jerseys to sponsors, which the team will wear this weekend, which will be backing our slogan for this campaign is 'REAL MEN AREN'T AFRAID TO WEAR PINK”.

Te Puke Sports coach Craig Jeffries, on the rugby, says it is hard to find a chink in the Tauranga armour, full of stars across the park. Meaning the hosts will need to be on their game to get close.

'We have been building quite nicely, and cruising along doing our thing. I think it is a pretty good position for us to be in. However it is a whole new level we need to step up to, to get close to Tauranga this weekend.

'The added pressure of the Jordan Cup, ability to host the final, as well as the Breast Cancer Awareness Day. We just need to keep our head down this week and not get to caught up with it, but it will be hard not to.”

Tauranga Sports is a team playing with great structure and consistency, with set plays proving to be dangerous and turnover ball is costly for teams.

Tauranga Sports coach Mike Rogers is happy with the sides efforts so far, but isn't getting too far ahead of himself.

'Te Puke are also undefeated in the Baywide round and have been going really well. They are a tough and physical team upfront and will be a real challenge for us.

'We have been looking forward to this game - we played Te Puke way back in mid-March and they pushed us for the entire 80 minutes. We are expecting the same sort of torrid battle this time around. The key for us is to stick to and execute our plan well - if we do that we will be in with a good chance.”

In other matches third placed Mount Maunganui need a win against Greerton Marist to push for the playoffs, Opotiki hosts Rangataua, Rotoiti is at home to Paroa, Te Puna at home to Waikite, and Whakarewarewa clashing with Whakatane Marist at Puarenga Park.

Division One will be just as important with Rangiuru and Te Teko squaring off for top spot. Rangiuru sit atop on 39 closely followed by Te Teko on 36.

Te Teko coach Mike Pryor says both sides fancy their chances of winning this weekend, but has faith in his charges.

'We have quite a young team and will continue to play our current game plan, looking to move the ball around and play some expansive rugby.

'Home advantage, is always of assistance. We have great home support, which lifts our team every time.”

Rangiuru coach Hika Reid says this weekend's match should be a 'great watch” with their opponents boasting a well-balanced pack, strong forwards and quick backs.

'It will be a difficult match to win but definitely winnable. We also have a well balanced team, with some good forwards and backs.

The team on the day that wants it most; will be the ones to walk away with the win.”

Other matches see Arataki at home to Ngongotaha, Kahukura taking on Galatea, Katikati hosting Ruatoki, Judea away to Marist St Michael's, and the winless Reporoa hosting Poroporo.

Sunday afternoon sees the culmination of the Bayfair Baywide Women's Competition in Waikite. All final matches will take place at Bellevue Road leading up to the final between Waikite and Tokoroa at 1.45pm.

The hosts remain unbeaten to date, having finished top of the table and defeating Waimana in last weeks semifinal.

Waikite's Eliza Stephens says the aim is to not drop a game now and finish the season undefeated.

'We will be keeping the same structures and routine [as previous matches]. There won't be too many changes. We will be focusing on the basics and getting them right.

'Tokoroa will have nothing to lose, the pressure is on us, but we believe our girls will be able to handle it.”

Tokoroa coach AJ Purnell says the final wasn't a goal at the start of the season given none of the squad had previous women's rugby experience.

Purnell believes Waikite have their first Championship in their grip as they have an unbeaten record in 2015 and won against Tokoroa in pool play a fortnight ago.

'We will be looking for a better performance across the field from everyone. Maintaining possession and applying pressure will be the key to a successful day. Keeping our pattern and continuity let us down last time we met, so we need to nail these to have any chance”.

This Saturday's draw:

Premier:

Te Puke Sports vs Tauranga Sports at Murray Salt Stadium

Mount Maunganui vs Greerton Marist at Blake Park

Opotiki vs Rangataua at Princess St Reserve

Rotoiti vs Paroa at Emery Park

Te Puna vs Waikite at Maramatanga Park

Whakarewarewa vs Whakatane Marist at Puarenga Park

Kick off at 2.45pm

Premier Development Kick off at 1pm

Division 1:

Arataki vs Ngongotaha at Arataki Park

Kahukura vs Galatea at Kuirau Park

Katikati vs Ruatoki at Moore Park

Marist St Michael's vs Judea at Marist Park

Reporoa vs Poroporo at Reporoa

Te Teko vs Rangiuru at Dunderdale Park

Kick off at 2.45pm

This Sunday's draw:

Women's Premier Finals Day:

Final: Waikite v Tokoroa 1:45pm Field 1

3 v 4: Arataki v Waimana 12.00pm Field 1

5 v 6: Rotoiti v Ngongotaha 1.00pm Field 2

7 v 8: Apanui v Tauranga Sports 11:30am Field 2

All games to be held at Bellevue Road

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