The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's Northern Region representative campaign hits full stride today with four Bay teams in action.

There will be plenty of interest in the Bay Development side as they chase their second successive victory of the Northern Region competition.

While the Bay second XV sat on the sideline last weekend courtesy of the bye, they opened their quest for Northern Region honours with a solid win against Counties Manukau two weeks ago.

On Saturday, they face a big challenge when they meet Auckland A, which is always one of the heavyweights of the regional development team competition.

One Bay player likely to have a big influence on the fortunes of the Development team is halfback, Lewis Hancock.

Such is his ability that he was called into the Steamers as halfback cover last weekend, and he is also a goal kicker of real talent.

Moore Park in Katikati will host the Bay of Plenty Under-20 team, which will play a non-competition match against the Auckland Development B side.

While they have been defeated by Waikato and Auckland A in their season opening encounters, they will have a good opportunity to post their first win of the season.

Both the Under Bay of Plenty Under-18 and 16 teams are on the road in their first Northern Region competition matches of the 2011 season.

The Under-18s, which were narrowly beaten by Hawke's Bay last Sunday in a pre-season hit-out will play Counties Manukau.

Victory against Hawke's Bay last weekend will provide the Bay Under-16 side with the ideal preparation to despatch Thames Valley this weekend.

The Bay age group side is the stepping-stone to higher honours, with several of the current Steamers having advanced through the Under-16 ranks in earlier years.

BOPRU Representative Programme 3 September 2011

BOP Development v Auckland A @ Auckland

BOP U20 v Auckland Development @ Moore Park, Katikati

BOP Under 18 v Counties Manukau @ Counties

BOP Under 16 v Thames Valley @ Thames Valley