There is sure to be a large crowd on hand at Blake Park this afternoon in a vital mid table PGG Wrightson Baywide Premier clash.

Both Rotoiti and Mount Maunganui sit just outside the top four, with the winner likely to take a significant step towards claiming genuine championship contender status.

Rotoiti, who made the early pace, have narrowly lost their last two encounters with Whaka and Te Puke Sports. However, they gave competition leaders Te Puke Sports a real run for their money last week, leading by 13 points going into the last quarter, before the visitors came back to take out the match 23-16.

By contrast Mount Maunganui made a slow start, and sat near the bottom of the standings in the early rounds, before stringing together three successive victories. Last weekend they ran away from Rangataua posting a 49-3 victory.

With a close encounter on the cards, the two team's goal kickers could decide the final result. Rotoiti sharp shooter Whakataki Cunningham is amongst the season leading point's scorers, with the Rotorua team having a more than able substitute kicker in Quade Langeveldtd.

Any Rotoiti mistakes are likely to receive heavy punishment from Mount Maunganui's Matt Golding, who has been in superb kicking form in the season start.

A seven point buffer separates Te Puke Sports from the chasing pack, as the defending champions have posted an unbeaten start to their title chase.

There is also likely to be big gathering of rugby fans in Te Puke on Saturday, when the home side take on Opotiki in the main attraction, at Murray Salt Stadium. The Eastern Bay side have been the surprise package in this year's top echelon title race. A decisive 37-9 win over Whakarewarewa last weekend served notice of their championship intentions this season.

Whakarewarewa will still be smarting from last week's reverse however they will receive plenty of attention from Te Puna when they visit Puarenga Park. Te Puna will be especially keen to take some points from the game to ensure they keep well away from the dreaded relegation zone.

Tauranga Sports should have little to fear from Rangataua, who have yet to register a point in the competition. An injury hit Rangataua side are just a shadow of the last year's title contenders, and will want to give their fans something to cheer about, at the Tauranga Domain.

A win for Waikite against Greerton Marist in the Western Bay, will move the Rotorua team further away from demotion at the end of the season. While Greerton have yet to register a win, they have given several spirited performances, which will give their supporters some hope against the Rotorua visitors.

Paroa has continued its resurgence in Division One this year and have a five-point lead from Rangiuru at the head of the point's standings. The Eastern Bay side should continue their unbeaten run against Kahukura who sit mid table. Rangiuru will be chasing a bonus point victory, when they travel to play Reporoa on one of the Bay of Plenty Rugby boundaries.

A Marist battle will take place in The Eastern Bay where Whakatane Marist is at home to Marist St Michaels. Te Teko should prove strong for Ruatoki with Ngongotaha likely to be too good for Poroporo.

Mount Maunganui should have little trouble in extending their lead in the Colts competition, when Marist St Michaels pay a visit to Blake Park.

A six-point lead and an unbeaten record suggest that the Mount side are the team to beat in the age group competition. Second placed Greerton Marist should also cement their top two place against cellar dweller Kahukura, in the early game at Greerton Park.

PGG Wrightson Baywide Rugby Draws 5 May 2012

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

Points: Te Puke Sports 28, Tauranga Sports 21, Opotiki 21, Whakarewarewa 21, Rotoiti 20, Mount Maunganui 17, Te Puna 16, Waikite 7, Greerton Marist 1, Rangataua 0.

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

Points: Paroa 29, Rangiuru 24, Te Teko 19, Kahukura 19, Ngongotaha 17, Whakatane Marist 15, Marist St Michaels 14, Poroporo 8, Reporoa 5, Ruatoki 2.

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

Points: Mount Maunganui 28, Greerton Marist 22, Te Puna 20, Ruatoki 19, Tauranga Sports 19, Waikite 15, Opotiki 15, Te Puke Sports 11, Rangataua 10, Marist St Michaels 6, Whakarewarewa 6, Rotoiti 6, Kahukura 1.