The second round of the Baywide Cup premier title race sees two intriguing match-ups, which should produce games that go down to the wire, on Saturday afternoon.

Long-time rivals Te Puke and Greerton square off on the artificial surface at the Te Puke Domain.

File pic.

Te Puke opened their new season with a hard fought victory over Rotorua Central last weekend, posting a victory with four wickets in hand.

Two players who will have a big hand in the fortunes of the Te Puke side in the current season are Tai Bridgeman-Raison and Mitch McCann.

Bridgeman-Raison, who will again wear the captain's mantle, is a cricket tactician of no little ability who can change his game plan during a match to good effect.

McCann is a dashing batsman, who posted a century on debut for the Bay Development team a few years ago and loves nothing better than to take aim on the boundary.

The Greerton side, who sat on the sideline during the opening weekend courtesy of opponents Tauranga Boys College being on tour in Queensland, can't wait to get into action on Saturday.

The Pemberton Park based side ended a 27 year Williams Cup drought last season when they annexed the symbol of Baywide cricket superiority.

While Greerton stalwarts Marcus Niles (retired) and Craig Budd are missing from the current side and the premier squad has picked up three of the most promising youngsters in Baywide cricket.

Cameron Neal, Elliot Timoti and Tom Clout, who played for the Tauranga Boys College first eleven last season are all having their first year in the Greerton black and gold uniform.

Tauranga Boys College will host Mount Maunganui at Tauranga Boys headquarters on Nicholson Field in another match where both teams look to have an equal chance of victory. Mount Maunganui careered away to an easy win against East Bay United last week, with Mount batsman Pete Drysdale making an emphatic statement as he smashed 177 runs in his sides big total.

Alex Oakley, who made his debut for the Bay senior men's team earlier this year, is a young wicket keeper of rare ability who provides outstanding cover behind the stumps.

The formbook suggests that Cadets should have little trouble with East Bay United, however, with the fixture being played in the Eastern Bay, the home side are always a force at home. On the opening day of the season Cadets coasted to victory over BOP Indians with the Eastern Bay side going down to Mount Maunganui.

A local Rotorua derby will take centre stage at Boord Park, where BOP Indians will meet Rotorua Central, with the winner posting their first points in the Baywide Cup.

Both groups of players have a fierce pride in the club that they represent and a real battle to the end is on the cards.

BOPCA Baywide Cup Premier Draw October 13

Te Puke v Greerton, Te Puke Domain; Tauranga Boys College v Mount Maunganui, Nicholson Field; East Bay United v Otumoetai Cadets, Trident High School; BOP Indians v Central, Boord Park.