The Bay of Plenty Development team will open the Bay of Plenty weekend representative rugby program when they face their Counties Manukau counterparts as the entrée to the Steamers ITM Cup clash, at Pukekohe on Friday evening.

Last week, while the Bay second fifteen were beaten by the Auckland B team, they showed that will be competitive in the Northern Region competition holding the likely competition heavyweights to 27 points apiece at half time.

The passageway to Steamers is provided by Dan Goodwin who scored a try for the Development team last week and will sit on the Steamers bench against Counties Manukau on Friday evening.

This Friday's encounter in the Steamers curtain-raiser, should give Development coaches Jeremy Cotter and Charles Hubbard an indication of where the team is at, in relation to season success in the Northern Region championship.

Last weekend the Bay of Plenty Under 20 team found out about the reality of life in the fast lane of the Northern Region age group competition.

While outgunned in the first half the Bay side responded holding Auckland tryless for the third quarter, before conceding two more touchdowns to go down 52 nil.

This weekend they square off against North harbour over the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The Bay Under 18 team, who put up a brave performance against Auckland East last week have been bolstered for their game against Waikato, with some additional player support. Jason Carter, George Honey, Elijah Nicholas, Lars Morrice, Taylor Bateson and Darren Gabolinsky have all received call-ups to cover for injury concerns in the under 18's.

There is likely to be large crowds on the sideline at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui with the two Bay Under 16 teams in action. The A representatives who posted a solid victory against North Harbour in the opening round of the competition last week will meet Counties Manukau, with the second team facing Harbour at home.

Back to back victories are on the agenda of the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schoolgirls. Last week they despatched Counties Manukau 27 nil with Waikato their opponents at Rotorua Girls High School on Saturday.

BOPRU Representative Northern Region Draws September 7/8

September 7

BOP Development v Counties Manukau @ Pukekohe – kick off 5.50pm

September 8

BOP U20 v North Harbour @ North Harbour

BOP U18 v Waikato @ Waikato

BOP U16 A v Counties Manukau @ Blake Park, Mount Maunganui – kickoff 12.30pm

BOP U16 B v North Harbour @ Blake Park, Mount Maunganui – kickoff 1pm

BOP Secondary Schoolgirls v Waikato, Rotorua Girls High School