Whakarewarewa needs to beat Rotorua archrivals Rotoiti at Emery Park in the Bartercard Baywide Premier competition today if they wish to lift aloft the first round trophy in triumph in two weeks.

Entering the penultimate game of the first round, Whakarewarewa holds a slender one-point lead on the points table from Tauranga Sports, with Rangataua still in contention for the first round silverware just two points adrift of Tauranga Sports.

Whaka, which has led the premier competition from the opening day, has a number of genuine match winners in its ranks.

Doug Edwards, who has touched the ball down for six tries, has made a real impression in the Whaka midfield with backline general Kelly Haimona dictating play in the number 10 jersey.

Hooker Trent Sweeney has also been in try scoring form with four touchdowns with open side flanker Liam Coleman playing havoc with opposition backlines.

However, Rotoiti will also take plenty of firepower into the encounter, which also has the Rotorua rugby sub-union Tai Mitchell trophy on the line.

The lakesiders have a backline unit with some real pace with Sikeli Vorenasu having run in six tries during the season.

Another to make his mark with the ball in hand has been Seigfried Fisiihoi.

Defending premier champions Tauranga Sports could have a battle on their hands when they travel to the Eastern Bay to face Opotiki this weekend.

Tauranga's new recruit, Leon Power, has been winning his side an abundance of ball in the lineouts, which has given the pacey backline plenty of room to move.

Opotiki has plenty of power in its forward pack with Dean Elmiger and Matt Henwood both having played for the Steamers in recent seasons.

The big movers in recent weeks have been Rangataua, who need to defeat Waikite in Rotorua, to remain in contention for the first round trophy.

Mount Maunganui will be favoured to get past Whakatane Marist with Te Puke Sports likely to prove too strong for Te Puna.

In division one, the Eastern Bay match-up between Te Teko and Paroa should provide plenty of interest. Greerton Marist at home at Greerton Park will be favoured to account for Reporoa, with Ngongotaha and Kahukura likely to have a good battle on the outskirts of Rotorua.

There is likely to be a close contest between Rangiuru and Marist St Michaels in Te Puke, while Katikati should have few problems with Ruatoki.

The last games of the colts first round have two intriguing match-ups. In the blue section Te Puke Sports and Te Puna will take unbeaten records into their encounter with the winner finishing on top of the first round points table.

A similar scenario awaits Tauranga Sports and Opotiki who meet at the Princess Street Reserve in Opotiki. At the conclusion of the first round, the top four from each section will fight out the championship round

BOPRU Bartercard Baywide Draws

Premier (2.45pm) Rotoiti v Whakarewarewa, Emery Park; Opotiki v Tauranga Sports, Opotiki Reserve; Waikite v Rangataua, Bellvue Road; Mount Maunganui v Whakatane Marist, Blake Park; Te Puna v Te Puke Sports, Maramatanga Park.

Points Table” Whakarewarewa 26, Tauranga Sports 25, Rangataua 23, Opotiki 19, Mount Maunganui 18, Rotoiti 18, Te Puke Sports 16, Waikite 15, Te Puna 8, Whakatane Marist 3.

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

Colts (1pm) (Blue Section) Te Puna v Te Puke Sports, Maramatanga Park; Waikite v Whakatane Marist, Bellvue Park; Mount Maunganui v Ruatoki, Blake Park; Rotoiti the bye

(Gold Section) Judea v Rangataua, Maharaia Winiata Park; Opotiki v Tauranga Sports, Opotiki Reserve; Greerton Marist v Whakarewarewa, Greerton Park; Edgecumbe v Marist St Michaels, Edgecumbe Domain.