Rugby: The season that keeps giving

New Steamers midfielder Siaosi Iongi will be a real threat for Rangataua against Greerton Marist tomorrow. Photo / Andrew Warner

Club rugby does not get much better than what has been served up in the Bayfair Baywide competition this year.

The standard has consistently been higher than last season, with a sharper, more competitive edge to the games.

With three weeks of pool play left, five teams are in contention to make the coveted semifinals spots but the remainder of the clubs have proven to be highly competitive all season long. So there are no easy games heading into the play-offs.

This week's announcement of the Steamers squad for the ITM Cup has added further intrigue. Those named will clearly want to prove why they were selected ahead of a strong group now chasing wider training group spots, including Nick Evemy, Beau Williams, Keepa Mewett (Tauranga Sports), Tim O'Malley (Greerton Marist), Matt Axtens (Mount Maunganui), Elijah Nicholas (Rangiuru) and Elliott Hagen (Te Puke Sports).

Leaders Te Puke Sports look set for a home semifinal after their crucial win over Mount Maunganui last week has them on 58 points - eight clear of equal second-placed Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Sports.

Whakarewarewa lie a point behind in the contentious fourth spot, but Greerton Marist are just three points further back on 46 points and hitting top form at the right time of the season.

Both clubs have key home ground advantage on Saturday.

Whakarewarewa host Te Puke, while Greerton Marist welcome near neighbours Rangataua at Waipuna Park, Welcome Bay, with Greerton Park still not available after recent flooding.

Te Puke's head coach Craig Jeffries knows the pride of Rotorua are always a huge challenge.

"We know what they're like out there. When we played Whaka last time, they were a bit depleted in the backs and gave us a hell of a game," Jeffries said.

"We were lucky to come out on top. We have a bit of an injury crisis on our side at the moment but we're looking to come out on top once again."

Bayfair Baywide draw:
(Development kick-off 1pm, Premier kick-off 2.45pm)
Greerton Marist v Rangataua Sports at Waipuna Park; Mount Maunganui Sports v Opotiki at Blake Park; Whakarewarewa v Te Puke Sports at Puarenga Park; Rotoiti v Tauranga Sports at Emery Park; Rangiuru v Te Puna at Centennial Park.

Premier points:
Te Puke Sports 58, Mount Maunganui 50, Tauranga Sports 50, Whakarewarewa 49, Greerton Marist 46, Rotoiti 33, Opotiki 26, Rangataua 26, Te Puna 24, Rangiuru 14.