Whakatane Marist faces its most important game of the 2011 Bartercard Baywide Premier season so far when they travel to Rotorua this Saturday to face Waikite.

The competitive nature of the Baywide top echelon competition sees real intensity at both the top and bottom of the points ledger.

With automatic relegation to division one next season there is huge pressure to avoid finishing with the wooden spoon in the 2011 competition.

With just two rounds of the regular season remaining after the weekend encounters, Whakatane Marist sits at the bottom of the points standings, however, they are just two points in arrears of Te Puna who face defending champion Tauranga Sports this weekend.

The Eastern Bay side status on the standings belies some good performances this season.

Matt Te Pou, who is the most successful New Zealand Maori coach in history, has overseen the Eastern Bay side this season.

His coaching tenure at the club is part of a long-term strategy to return Whakatane Marist to again become a Baywide heavyweight with it vitally essential that the club remains in the Premier ranks.

One real match winner that the team has in its ranks is long serving inside back Craig Edwards.

Usually playing first five, Edwards not only dictates backline play, but also is a goal kicker of real ability.

However, Waikite will be just as desperate to emerge victorious on Saturday, as a loss would put them close to the relegation zone.

The Rotorua team, which is a former Baywide Premier heavyweight, moved back to the Premier ranks when they won the division one crown last season.

The side represent a close knit community close to the centre of Rotorua and builds teams based around local families.

Steven and Martin Jones, who coach Waikite, have strong links with the club, however, one outsider who has made a strong impression is South African Quaid Langeveltd, who has kicked the side to victory on a number of occasions this year.

One of the biggest crowds seen at Western Bay club rugby this year is likely to be on hand at Blake Park when Mount Maunganui takes on archrival Te Puke Sports.

The encounter matches up the second and third sides on the standings with the winner taking a big step to receiving a home semi-final.

Defending titleholder Tauranga Sports should be too good for Te Puna at Maramatanga Park, Rotoiti and Opotiki are likely to battle to the wire at Emery Park, with Whakarewarewa and Rangataua also expected to have a good tussle in Rotorua.

Division one new recruit Katikati will be desperate for victory when Paroa visits the extremities of Bay of Plenty. Last year's division two champion sits just off the pace in fifth position, however, they have posted an unusual record of four drawn games during the season. Leaders Te Teko should book a home semi-final berth when they play Reporoa at Dunderdale Park.

The battle of the two Baywide div one Marist sides takes place at Greerton Park, when Greerton Marist takes on Rotorua's Marist St Michaels. Both sides sit near the top of the standings with victory ensuring a step closer to post-section rugby along with bragging rights.

Rangiuru could continue there late season renaissance against Kahukura, while Ngongotaha should prove too strong for Ruatoki who appear headed for relegation.

The two colts competitions play the last of their round robin matches this Saturday, before the quarterfinals next weekend. While Te Puke Sports look assured of the top spot in section one there is a real race for the other three final placings, which will result in home quarterfinals.

In section two Ruatoki looks to have the top spot in there grasp, which will give them a week off courtesy of the bye in next weekends quarterfinals.

BOPRU Bartercard Baywide Draws 9 July 2011

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

Points Table: Tauranga Sports 58, Mount Maunganui 52, Te Puke 48, Whakarewarewa 44, Rangataua 40, Opotiki 35, Rotoiti 30, Waikite 25, Te Puna 19, Whakatane Marist 17,

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

Points Table: Te Teko 51, Greerton Marist 49, Marist St Michaels 48, Ngongotaha 43, Katikati 42, Kahukura 35, Paroa 34, Rangiuru 32, Reporoa 19, Ruatoki 7.

Colts - 1pm (Section One) Te Puna v Marist St Michaels, Maramatanga Park; Rangataua v Tauranga Sports, Te Ariki Park; Greerton Marist v Opotiki Greerton Park; Mount Maunganui v Te Puke Sports, Blake Park.

Points Table: Te Puke Sports 30, Greerton 19, Te Puna 18, Tauranga Sports 14, Mount Maunganui 11, Marist St Michaels 11, Rangataua 10, Opotiki 6.

(Section Two) Waikite v Ruatoki, Bellvue Road; Whakarewarewa v Rotoiti, Puarenga Park; Edgecumbe v Judea, Edgecumbe Domain; Whakatane Marist the bye.

Points Table: Ruatoki 23, Waikite 19, Edgecumbe 14, Whakarewarewa 11, Rotoiti 10, Whakatane Marist 8, Judea 3.