While the four teams going to the Baywide playoffs are marking time with the Merv Scholes Trophy matches – the real interest in the Seeka KI Western BOP second round is in the Phelan Cup competition.

Eastern Districts ensured that the Phelan Cup competition had an extra dimension when they relieved Arataki of the Western BOP Challenge Trophy in the last game of the Western BOP championship.

The Hardy Rosebowl changed hands in the first week of the Phelan Cup with Judea taking the prize from ED.

Last weekend, Judea won a real battle with Papamoa, coming from behind to win 23-20 at Papamoa headquarters.

This Saturday, the Hardy Rosebowl is up for grabs again, with Judea at home at Maharaia Winiata Park facing Te Puke Sports.

While the Te Puke second XV has won just a handful of games during the season, they have caused a couple of upsets and can never be written off.

Katikati, which was unlucky not to be going on to the Baywide Reserve playoffs after being edged out by Tauranga Sports, has its sights firmly on the Phelan Cup.

Two significant victories, which has resulted in 170 points being scored and just 17 conceded, suggests that they will be the team to beat in the second competition.

One team that has the firepower necessary to trouble the side from the Western Bay extremities is Papamoa, which will travel to Katikati to play them this weekend.

While they have had an up and down season, Papamoa on song are a real force to be reckoned with.

Te Puna, which has re-entered the Western BOP second round, after not playing in the championship round, is at home to Greerton Marist at Maramatanga Park.

In the Merv Scholes round robin competition, Mount Maunganui and Matakana Island will play out a replay of the recent Seeka KI Western BOP Championship, which Matakana Island won in an epic encounter.

In the other game Arataki will meet Tauranga Sports at the Tauranga Domain.

Seeka KI Western BOP Draw July 9 (All games 1pm unless specified)

Merv Scholes Trophy: Mount Maunganui v Matakana Island, Blake Park; Tauranga Sports v Arataki, Tauranga Domain (2.30pm).

Phelan Cup: Katikati v Papamoa, Moore Park; Judea v Te Puke Sports, Maharaia Winiata Park (2.30pm) Te Puna v Greerton Marist, Maramatanga Park; Eastern Districts the bye.

Points Tables

Merv Scholes Trophy: Arataki 4, Tauranga Sports 2, Mount Maunganui 2, Matakana Island 0.

Phelan Cup: Katikati 10, Judea 9, Papamoa 6, Eastern Districts 6, Greerton Marist 4, Te Puke Sports 4. Te Puna 4.