Baywide Rugby: It's top-of-table showdown

IN FORM: Barnstorming winger Paula Narawa will be a key attacking force for Tauranga Sports against Whakarewarewa at the Tauranga Domain today.PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

A steamers trial, sorting out Tauranga versus Rotorua superiority, the best match-up of the season ...

Call it what you like but one thing is certain the top-of-table clash between Tauranga Sports and Whakarewarewa at Tauranga Domain today is going to be a battle of attrition as much as skill.

The match is the one both unbeaten sides have been looking forward to, particularly Tauranga who have not been tested in their three games so far. There are undoubted points to be scored in the personal match-ups right across the field with all players looking to impress Bay of Plenty coaches Clayton McMillan and Rodney Gibbs.

Tauranga coach Mike Rogers was impressed with his forwards' performance in dominating Te Puna last week.

He is expecting another typically torrid clash with Whakarewarewa today who have two outstanding trump cards in their backline.

"I think they will base their game around Te Rangi [Fraser] and Doug [Edwards]," Rogers said.

"You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure they are their two major threats in their backline. Te Rangi is in great form and basically won that game against Greerton Marist on his own last week. We will need to look after him and hopefully if we do that we will be right. Easier said than done though.

"We will definitely try and take them on up front. We have set a standard in terms of what we are trying to get out of the forward pack this year, more than we have in the past, and hopefully we can continue to build on that.

"We are going to need to take it up a few notches against these guys."

There are plenty of other Premier games to choose from in the Western Bay today.

At Blake Park, Mt Maunganui host Rotoiti who have had a tough draw to start and are more than capable of winning on the road. Te Puke Sports host Te Puna while Greerton Marist welcome struggling Waikite to Greerton Park. Rangataua should be too good for Paroa at Te Ariki Park.

In Division 1, there is a hugely anticipated clash between home team Judea and Rangiuru.

Both teams have been performing well with Judea's only loss in the Baywide competition coming against today's visitors who are unbeaten.

Judea coach Dion Seeling says they are looking forward to the rematch against Rangiuru after losing in the dying minutes of the epic first-round clash.

"We controlled most of that match but Rangiuru played for 80 minutes and we couldn't close out the game. We learnt that we need to play to the final whistle if we want to compete in the first division."

-Baywide draws, today

Premiers 2.45pm, Development 1pm: Opotiki vs Whakatane Marist at Princess St Reserve; Te Puke Sports vs Te Puna at Murray Salt Stadium; Tauranga Sports vs Whakarewarewa at Tauranga Domain; Greerton Marist vs Waikite at Greerton Park; Rangataua vs Paroa at Te Ariki Park; Mt Maunganui vs Rotoiti at Blake Park.

Premier points: Tauranga Sports 15, Whakarewarewa 14, Te Puke Sports 13, Mount Maunganui 10, Whakatane Marist 10, Te Puna 9, Rotoiti 6, Rangataua 6, Paroa 5, Greerton Marist 1, Waikite 0, Opotiki 0.

Division 1: Arataki vs. Te Teko at Arataki Park; Judea vs. Rangiuru at Maharaia Winiata Park; Poroporo vs Ruatoki at Poroporo Park; Ngongotaha vs Kahukura at Ngongotaha Domain; Marist St Michael's vs Katikati at Marist Park; Reporoa vs Galatea at Reporoa. All games 2.45pm.

Women: Arataki vs Ngongotaha at Arataki; Waimana vs Tokoroa at Waimana Domain; Apanui vs Waikite at Te Kaha; Rotoiti vs Tauranga Sports at Emery Park. All games 1pm.