Baywide rugby: Te Puna and Greerton clash in match of the round

Hunter Mokomoko on attack for Te Puna in the win over Mount Maunganui Sports last week. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

There was much to admire about Te Puna's comprehensive 30-14 victory over defending champions Mount Maunganui Sports last Saturday.

But one key thing was the win came at the Mounties fortress of Blake Park where opponents usually leave with as much joy as the Blues have had this season.

Te Puna have been hard to tumble at Maramatanga Park in recent years but have not done so well away from their home patch. But there is some genuine resilience as well as talent in this year's squad that has started this campaign so well.

Tomorrow Te Puna host Greerton Marist in what should be an entertaining game between the teams with two wins each from three games trailing behind unbeaten Tauranga Sports.

Te Puna's head coach, Aidan Kuka, says his team continue to evolve their game and establish combinations. At this week's training the focus has been on tightening up their defensive game ahead of Greerton Marist's attacking threats.

"They have some hard-running ball carriers in their team who can offload so we must be aware of that. Set-piece accuracy is an area we still want to improve on. Greerton Marist will be very competitive in that area so we need to be accurate," Kuka said.

"We are looking forward to playing in front of our whanau and friends with all three of our senior teams playing at home this week."

Greerton Marist head coach Ryan Dunnett says the key is to continue to improve each week, to work hard at training to develop their game and always look to consistently get better.

"Our key focuses are to win the key moments in each game, execute our strike moves and being more ruthless on taking our opportunities. Defence will be focusing on applying as much pressure as we can on the opposition.

"We haven't yet played well for 80 minutes. We will need to be on our game for the full 80 minutes to be in with a shot. Te Puna are one of the form teams at the moment, so this game will be a great challenge for us to see where we are at and what we need to improve going forward."

In Division 1, unbeaten sides Rangiuru and Te Teko meet in the Eastern Bay.

Rangiuru head coach Simon Rolleston is urging his side to reduce their errors and capitalise on opportunities.

"We will have to be more accurate and make sure we take every opportunity this week against a tough, top team down there [Te Teko]. It's not easy to come away with a win down there.

"We are wanting the team to keep training hard and keep pushing each other for positions, keeping a positive team mind-set even if you don't make the 22. Those who do, really stand up and do your key roles well."

Baywide Premier draws, Saturday
Premier
Kick-off 2.45pm, Development kick-off 1pm
Te Puke Sports v Whakatane Marist at Murray Salt Stadium
Rangataua v Whakarewarewa at Te Ariki Park
Rotoiti v Ngongotaha at Emery Park
Te Puna v Greerton Marist at Maramatanga Park
Paroa v Tauranga Sports at Lawson Park
Arataki v Mount Maunganui Sports at Arataki Park

Baywide Division One
Kick-off: 2.45pm
Ruatoki v Murupara at Tuhoe Park
Te Teko v Rangiuru at Dunderdale Park
Marist St Michael's v Papamoa at Marist Park
Kahukura v Opotiki at Kuirau Park
Judea v Waikite at Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park
Waimana v Poroporo at Waimana Domain