TOP CLASS: Former NZ Under-20 midfielder Teddy Stanaway is a key attacking weapon for Mount Maunganui.PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER 260414AW06BOP
TOP CLASS: Former NZ Under-20 midfielder Teddy Stanaway is a key attacking weapon for Mount Maunganui.PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER 260414AW06BOP
Bayfair Baywide premier and development teams are in for a tough Queen's Birthday Weekend with games to play on Saturday and Monday.
The second double header of the season was agreed by the clubs before the season started so the season finishes two weeks earlier than normal, allowing the Steamersrep players to play in both the semifinal and final.
The next instalment of the battle of the bridge sees fourth-placed Tauranga Sports hosting second-placed Mount Maunganui Sports on Saturday. After last week's shock loss at home to Rangataua, Tauranga are now just a point ahead of fifth-placed Rotoiti, who are odds on to get maximum points at home to improving but winless Rangiuru.
"Mount are going very well," said Tauranga's head coach Mike Rogers. "We have been struggling a bit but hope to come through as the under dogs."
Mount's head coach Rodney Voullaire says they have been taking the game week by week. "We can't wait for this weekend. It's usually quite an interesting week leading up to a battle of the bridge.
Leaders Te Puke Sports travel away to Opotiki in what could be a classic banana skin contest while Rangataua will be confident at home against Te Puna, after running in 33 second half points to beat Tauranga last week.
On Monday, Te Puke host Rangataua in what looks to be the match of round 12.
Te Puke's head coach Craig Jeffries says it will be tough backing up after a game two days before.
Rangataua's co-coach Paul Pou says Te Puke are the front runners of the competition for a good reason. "They are always tough opponents and even tougher at home," he said.
