Mount holds the lead in local rugby

Mount Maunganui Sports is at the top of the table in the Baywide Club Rugby competition. File photo.

Now into week three of the first round of Baywide Club Rugby, defending champions Mount Maunganui Sports hold the lead at the top of the table with Te Puna and Rotoiti close behind.

In the Division 1 competition, defending champions Te Teko are leading the charge at the top tied with Opotiki, with the next three teams also tied.

Whakarewarewa v Arataki

Whakarewarewa delivered a tidy victory against Whakatane Marist in week one, however were pushed last week by front runners Mount Maunganui Sports. Arataki on the other hand fell short to Ngongotaha in week one but delivered an improved performance against Whakatane Marist over the Easter weekend.

Whakarewarewa Head Coach Peter (Boxer) Smith says, 'We are looking forward to the two red and black clubs' in the Bay of Plenty battling it out.

'We are looking forward to getting our full strength team out on the field for the first time this year. With this in mind the team focus will be on attitude, intensity and execution. As well as playing with passion for our families club and community, we hope it will be a good day.”

Arataki's Head Coach Billy Russell says, 'We know that they are good at the counter attack, especially with Kelly Haimona running the show in backline they have a really good kicking game. So we want to nullify that and put quite a bit of pressure on making sure our defensive structures are in place.

'We are still in the early stages, so we want to keep building and moving forward. Team cohesion and building structured processes so they can implement these in the game.”

Opotiki v Ruatoki

In an Eastern Bay of Plenty derby match it is expected there will be plenty of whanau support for the two sides. Opotiki are tied with Te Teko at the top of the table following two straight wins. Ruatoki are tracking in the middle of the table in the early weeks of the competition with one win and loss.

Opotiki's Head Coach Richard Howe says, 'Each week we want to continue to improve regardless of who we are playing. It is only third game in so we want keep to our structures that we have been training and implementing, as well as trying to control and dominate more possession.

'It is always great to play at home, home advantage and the crowd behind you. It doesn't matter who you play but we will respect Ruatoki, like we would any other Bay of Plenty team. We want to just concentrate on our own structures and keeping possession as long as we can and using it wisely.”

Ruatoki Head Coach Mark Pouwhare highlights the importance for his team to take ownership of their game plan in order for his to progress.

'Trying to implement and follow our game plan is first and foremost our priority. We had first game jitters for our first half performance against Papamoa. Second half was a much better performance when the team implemented our game plan,” says Mark.

'Physically we are in a better position than last year but mentally we need to be better.

'Last week our defence was an issue. Just lack of communication in our defensive line and consequently we leaked easy yards and tries. Staying focused in that defensive line for the full 80 minutes. We will need to be better mentally against Opotiki this week.”

Baywide Premier Club Rugby Draw:

Saturday 7 April

Premier Kick-off: 2.45pm

Development Kick-off: 1.00pm

Greerton Marist v Paroa at Greerton Park

Tauranga Sports v Rotoiti at Tauranga Domain

Ngongotaha v Te Puke Sports at Ngongotaha Domain

Whakarewarewa v Arataki at Puarenga Park

Mount Maunganui Sports v Te Puna at Blake Park

Whakatane Marist at Rangataua at Rugby Park

Baywide Division One Draw:

Saturday 7 April

Kick-off: 2.45pm

Papamoa v Te Teko at Gordon Spratt Reserve

Poroporo v Marist St Michael's at Poroporo

Opotiki v Ruatoki at Princess Street Reserve

Rangiuru v Kahukura at Centennial Park

Waikite v Waimana at Bellevue Road

Murupara v Judea at Ngati Manawa Road

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