The climax of the Seeka KI Western BOP rugby season comes at Blake Park today when the Western Bay of Plenty Championship is contested by Mount Maunganui and Matakana Island.

In today's era, when Baywide rugby takes centre stage – the Western Bay Championship is contested by clubs who don't feature in the Baywide competition, and the second XVs from clubs who play Baywide rugby.

This year's championship final for the Combined Cup is a classic match-up.

Mount Maunganui, which won the Gilbey Cup as the top qualifier, represent the Mount club as its second (senior) XV, and has been real force in the Western Bay Competition and BOPRU Reserve Championship for the last decade.

In the middle of the decade they won the Combined Cup in three successive seasons, lifting aloft the Combined Cup in victory in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

By contrast, Matakana Island is very much a one-team club, and was one of the clubs to play in the early Tauranga Rugby Union competitions.

In 2013 they will celebrate their Centennial year.

The last time that Matakana tasted success in Western Bay Rugby was in 2001 when they defeated Katikati to win the Western BOP division two title.

The weekend combatants have met twice this season with the honours shared at one game apiece.

In the first meeting, Matakana prevailed 39-34, with Mount Maunganui squaring the honours two weeks ago with a 23-13 victory.

With the conclusion of the Western Bay Championship the competing teams go off in different directions.

The top four finishers in the Western BOP Championship will play a short sharp three round competition for the Merv Scholes trophy before embarking on the Baywide playoffs.

The remainder will contest the Western BOP second round competition, which has the Phelan Cup at stake.

The second round has an extra prize courtesy of Eastern Districts relieving Arataki of the Hardy Rosebowl (Western BOP Challenge Trophy) last weekend.

ED will put the Hardy Rosebowl on the line for the first time this weekend, when they travel to face Judea at Maharaia Winiata Park

Seeka KI Western BOP Draw June 25

Western BOP Championship Final: Mount Maunganui v Matakana Island, Blake Park 1pm.

Western BOP Second Round: Papamoa v Greerton Marist, Gordon Spratt Reserve (2.45pm) Judea v Eastern Districts, Maharaia Winiata Park (2.45pm) Te Puke Sports v Katikati, Murray Salt Stadium (2.45pm) Te Puna the bye.

Seeka KI Western BOP Championship Points Table (Final)

Mount Maunganui 57, Matakana Island 53, Arataki 47, Tauranga Sports 42, Papamoa 40, Katikati 34, Judea 27, Eastern Districts 26, Te Puke Sports 24, Greerton Marist 17, Rangiuru 13.