The clock is ticking down to one of the cornerstone sporting events of the Western Bay of Plenty holiday season.

With many thousands descending on Mount Maunganui for rest and relaxation, the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union will again showcase the best rugby sevens players in the country.

The Bay Engineers Supplies Provincial Rugby Sevens tournament will be held for the seventh time, at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui on Saturday, January 5.

With the holiday season at the Mount in full swing, the de facto North Island 7's championship attracts provincial rugby union supporters from throughout the country, who arrive in full voice to support their team at the popular holiday tournament.

Bay of Plenty rugby has a special affinity with Rugby 7's.

In April 1992, a Bay of Plenty team entered the Melrose Sevens in Scotland.

The tournament was then considered the pinnacle world event of the shortened version of the game.

Coached by New Zealand 7's maestro Gordon Tietjens, the Bay of Plenty representatives emerged triumphant defeating Kelso 17-12 in the final.

In 2010 and 2011, the Bay of Plenty 7's team ruled supreme annexing their home tournament.

In 2010 the Bay side came from behind at the half time break to half time to beat Counties Manukau 38-26, while in 2011 the Bay of Plenty representatives defeated archrivals Waikato 47-26.

Last season current Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki started 2012 in style, when they annexed the first serious prize of the rugby year, taking out the Bay of Plenty Provincial 7's title in style.

After squeezing past Hawkes Bay 24-21 in the semi-finals they ran over Canterbury 40 nil in the title decider.

While defending Women's champions Auckland are missing from the 2013 entries, there is a quality field of six teams chasing the Women's title.

Waikato are always strong in women's rugby and were beaten semi-finalists in 2012, while the Bay of Plenty team should be able to count on plenty of local crowd support.

Bay Engineers Supplies Provincial 7's Tournament at Blake Park January 5

Men's Entries

Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Counties Manukau, Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty 2 Manawatu, North Harbour, Northland, Taranaki, Waikato, Wellington.

Women's Entries

Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Manawatu, Taranaki, Wellington, Waikato.