The early rounds of the PGG Wrightson Baywide Rugby competitions see teams jostling to make a statement before settling down for the long haul of the two round championships.

Te Puna, who were involved a real dogfight for most of last year's second round to avoid relegation, showed they have the side to be genuine premier contenders this season, when they swept aside long-time rivals Rangataua 35-8 on the first day of the new season.

Two new recruits in the Te Puna ranks both scored a try apiece for their new club. New Zealand Sevens' player Lance MacDonald and former Highlander player Daniel Quate impressed with their opening day work rate, both crossing the advantage line with the ball in hand. Another to impress was Te Puna stalwart Daniel Schuster who was also rewarded with a try.

The Te Puna side will receive a real test of where they are at this Saturday - when they face Baywide heavyweights Mount Maunganui at Blake Park. With Marty Bourke in charge of the Mounts head coach duties for the third year, he will want to reverse last week's narrow loss to Te Puke Sports.

Te Puke Sports, who broke through for their first Baywide crown last season, face a big challenge when multiple Baywide champions Tauranga Sports pay a visit to Murray Salt Stadium.

The Te Puke side have a real match winner in their ranks in Nick McCashin. Five McCashin penalty goals in the first half last week, took Te Puke to a lead that they never surrendered defeating Mount Maunganui 15-11.

Last Saturday, Tauranga Sports surrendered a twelve-point lead with 10 minutes remaining in the encounter, to settle for a 22 all draw with Whakarewarewa. One new face in the Tauranga Sports first fifteen is Philip Togo Togo Rua who grabbed a try against Whakarewarewa.

Opotiki showed in their seven try victory against Greerton Marist that they aren't making up the numbers in the top echelon, and will be heavily favoured to beat Waikite on Saturday. Whakarewarewa are expected to be too strong for new comers Greerton Marist at Greerton headquarters with Rangataua likely to face a stern challenge from Rotoiti at Te Ariki Park.

The major battle of Division One is a Rotorua local derby, when Ngongotaha and Marist St Michaels square off at the Ngongotaha Domain. Both teams opened their 2012 season campaign with solid wins last weekend, with a battle of attrition between the pair on the cards.

Te Teko should inflict defeat upon Rangiuru who are notoriously slow starters, while Kahukura will face a determined challenge from Whakatane Marist who were relegated from the premier ranks last season. Poroporo who also started the rugby year with a victory will make life difficult for Reporoa, with Eastern Bay sides Paroa and Ruatoki meeting at Lawson Park.

Mount Maunganui Colts laid down the gauntlet to the other age group contenders comprehensively beating defending champions Te Puke Sports first up. The Colts curtain raiser at Blake Park should be a thriller, with Te Puna likely to mount a solid challenge with the Oliver Cup (Western BOP challenge trophy) on the line.

Another even test of superiority will take place in the early game at Murray Salt Stadium, where Te Puke Sports will meet former Baywide age group titleholders Tauranga Sports. Greerton Marist who made the title decider last year host Whakarewarewa, Rotoiti visit Rangataua, Kahukura square off with Ruatoki with Opotiki travelling to Rotorua to play Waikite.

BOPRU Draws 31 March 2012

Premier (2.45pm) Rangataua v Rotoiti, Te Ariki Park; Te Puke Sports v Tauranga Sports, Murray Salt Stadium; Mount Maunganui v Te Puna, Blake Park; Waikite v Opotiki, Bellvue Road; Greerton Marist v Whakarewarewa, Greerton Park.

Points Table: Rotoiti 5, Opotiki 5, Te Puna 5, Te Puke Sports 4, Tauranga Sports 2, Whakarewarewa 2, Mount Maunganui 1, Rangataua 0, Greerton Marist 0, Waikite 0.

Division One (2.45pm) Te Teko v Rangiuru, Dunderdale Park; Kahukura v Whakatane Marist, Kuirau Park; Ngongotaha v Marist St Michaels, Ngongotaha Domain; Poroporo v Reporoa, Poroporo Park; Paroa v Ruatoki, Lawson Park.

Points Table: Ngongotaha 5, Marist St Michaels 5, Kahukura 4, Paroa 4. Te Teko 4, Poroporo 2, Ruatoki 0, Whakatane Marist 0, Rangiuru 0, Reporoa 0.

Colts (1pm) Mount Maunganui v Te Puna, Blake Park; Te Puke Sports v Tauranga Sports, Murray Salt Stadium; Rangataua v Rotoiti, Te Ariki Park; Greerton Marist v Whakarewarewa, Greerton Park; Kahukura v Ruatoki, Kuirau Park; Waikite v Opotiki, Bellvue Road; Marist St Michaels the bye.