The business end of the PGG Wrightson Baywide season has arrived, with the serious contenders for the for the Baywide titles, engaging in the semi-finals on this.

Taking centre stage at the Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke, defending Premier champions and top qualifier Te Puke Sports meet Eastern Bay of Plenty representative Opotiki, who finished in fourth spot in the round robin competition.

Te Puke Sports have swept all before them this season, with just a solitary defeat on their season ledger card.

Last weekend against Te Puna they showed their firepower in the second spell, running in six touchdowns to post a 64-22 victory.

With Steamers pivot Jamie Nutbrown back in the side and mercurial goal kicker Nick McCashin in sterling form, the Te Puke side have earned the favourites tag to win back to back Baywide titles.

The real improver in the top echelon of Baywide rugby in the last couple of seasons, has been Opotiki who are the sole Eastern Bay representative in the Premier ranks.

They have looked genuine contenders throughout the season with one of the best forward packs in the competition.

Opotiki veteran front rower Dean Elmiger has been in outstanding form in his last few outings.

Another big plus for the team has been the pinpoint accuracy from replacement kicker Te Amo Wilbore, with Sam Howe on the sideline.

Tauranga Sports, who are gunning for their seventh Baywide crown in 13 years, should prove a real handful for Rotoiti at the Tauranga Domain.

They finished a clear second just a few points behind the Te Puke team, with the form book suggesting a comfortable home team victory.

They have real firepower out wide in their backline, with Jeremy Cave, Phillip Togo Togo Rua and Nick Thompson amongst the seasons leading try scorers.

Rotorua representatives Rotoiti, have undergone a real renaissance this year with Bay of Plenty rugby legend Wayne Ormond, returning to play for the club.

However it has been far from a one-man band with a team of youngsters aided by several wily veterans leading from the front.

They also have a reliable goal kicker with Whakataki Cunningham able to convert opposition mistakes into points.

Rangiuru, will be shooting for a remarkable 18^th straight win in the Division One title race, when they square off against Te Teko at Centennial Park in Te Puke.

Their only loss was inflicted by Paroa back in the balmy autumn days of late March.

Te Teko have had a roller coaster season and left it to last weekend to finally book a semi-final berth.

While the Te Puke side will enter the encounter as odds on favourites, post section rugby often inspire the underdogs to victory.

Paroa, have also been in outstanding form finishing in second place in the qualifying competition, to earn the second home semi-final place.

The Eastern Bay side will host Kahukura from Rotorua at Lawson Park, in a match where the home side will be expected to post a victory.

There is always real desire to win the Division Two competition where the prize is a Div One place next season.

Katikati showed their wish to return to a permanent Baywide place last weekend, when they ran over Murupara 82-7.

The team from one of the Bay Union borders will face Edgecumbe, while Arataki will meet former Division One contenders Kawerau in the Eastern Bay.

The one certainty in this year's Baywide competition, is that a Western Bay side will take the honours in the age group championship, with all four semi-finalists coming from the Western Bay.

Tauranga Sports will host defending champions Te Puke Sports with Mount Maunganui at home at Blake Park to Te Puna.

There will be little regional loyalty shown in the Reserve Grade playoffs with Rotorua and Western Bay local derbies taking place.

Ngongotaha will square off against Whakarewarewa at the Ngongotaha Domain, with Tauranga Sports at home on the Tauranga Domain to arch Western Bay rivals Mount Maunganui.

The first Baywide Final of the year will take place when Waikite play Rangataua in the Colts Section Two final.

PGG Wrightson Baywide Semi-Final Rugby Draws July 28

Premier (2.45pm) Te Puke Sports v Opotiki, Murray Salt Stadium; Tauranga Sports v Rotoiti, Tauranga Domain.

Division One (2.45) Rangiuru v Te Teko, Centennial Park; Paroa v Kahukura, Lawson Park.

Division Two (2.45pm) Katikati v Edgecumbe, Moore Park; Kawerau v Arataki, Tarawera Park.

Colts Championship (1pm) Tauranga Sports v Te Puke Sports; Tauranga Domain; Mount Maunganui v Te Puna, Blake Park.

Colts Section Two Final (1pm) Waikite v Rangataua, Bellvue Road.

Senior Reserve: Tauranga Sports v Mount Maunganui, Tauranga Domain (1pm) Ngongotaha v Whakarewarewa, Ngongotaha Domain (2.45pm)