The Western Bay of Plenty is attracting much attention in round three of the Baywide Premier Rugby competition with four of the round's five games there today.

Defending champion, Tauranga Sports, is travelling the short journey to Maungatapu to face long time rival Rangataua, at Te Ariki Park.

Tauranga Sports is this weekend playing Rangataua in premier club rugby.

The match-up between the two adversaries, attracts the largest crowd seen at Rangataua headquarters each season, with an equal amount of vocal support for both sides.

While Tauranga Sports is unbeaten through the first two rounds of the BOPRU Centennial Year competition – a little luck would have seen Rangataua also possessing a two from two win record.

On the first day of the new season they lost by a solitary point to Te Puna, while last weekend they drew 38-all with Opotiki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

A real battle of attrition is likely to take place in the only game in Rotorua when Whakarewarewa host Opotiki.

The home side has started its pursuit of the championship silverware in style, posting two comprehensive victories.

However, Opotiki look to be real contenders, with a solid win and the draw with Rangataua to open their season.

The other Western Bay match-ups see Te Puna at home to Waikite and Mount Maunganui receiving a serious challenge from Rotoiti, and finally Te Puke Sports is hosting Whakatane Marist.

Te Teko has made its intentions clear in division one of its desire to return to the premier ranks next season after relegation last year.

Their biggest challenge comes this weekend when the side travels to play Rangiuru in Te Puke.

The Te Puke based side went within one game of winning the div one title last season, and make their home ground a fortress, when their opposition pay a visit to Jamieson Oval.

Ngongotaha, which was a real force in the premier ranks a decade ago, will meet Katikati at the Ngongotaha Domain.

The Western Bay team, which earned promotion to div one last season, has made a good start in the second echelon with a narrow loss and a draw on their ledger card.

Greerton Marist will be favoured to defeat Ruatoki at Greerton Park, with the Marist St Michaels and Reporoa match likely to go down to the wire, while Kahukura and Paroa should have a good battle at Kuirau Park in Rotorua.

The first weeks results in the Colts grade, suggested that defending champions Te Puke Sports, along with fellow Western Bay sides Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Sports, will be the teams to beat.

Te Puke Sports will be expected to prevail against Te Teko with Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Sports likely to be to strong for Rotoiti and Rangataua respectively.

Judea will mark their return to age group rugby with an encounter with Marist St Michaels, The Judea team have a large squad in training at Maharaia Winiata Park, and should trouble a number of teams in the age group grade.

In other Colts matches, Whakatane Marist will have a local derby with Ruatoki, Te Puna and Waikite will provide the curtain raiser to the meeting of there Premier teams, Whaka host Opotiki, with Edgecumbe at home to Greerton Marist.

BOPRU Draws April 9

Premier (2.45pm) Te Puna v Waikite, Maramatanga Park; Whakarewarewa v Opotiki, Puarenga Park; Mount Maunganui v Rotoiti, Blake Park; Te Puke Sports v Whakatane Marist, Murray Salt Stadium; Rangataua v Tauranga Sports, Te Ariki Park.

Division One (2.45pm) Greerton Marist v Ruatoki, Greerton Park; Marist St Michaels v Reporoa, Marist Park; Kahukura v Paroa, Kuirau Park; Rangiuru v Te Teko, Jamieson Oval; Ngongotaha v Katikati, Ngongotaha Domain

Colts (1pm)

Blue Section: Mount Maunganui v Ruatoki, Blake Park; Whakatane Marist v Ruatoki, Rugby Park; Te Puna v Waikite, Maramatanga Park; Te Puke Sports v Te Teko, Murray Salt Stadium.

Gold Section: Whakarewarewa v Opotiki, Puarenga Park; Rangataua v Tauranga Sports, Te Ariki Park; Marist St Michaels v Judea, Marist Park; Edgecumbe v Greerton Marist, Edgecumbe Domain.