Rugby: Western Bay monopoly under threat

Mount Maunganui celebrate winning the Baywide final against Whakarewarewa last year. Photo / File

The Bayfair Baywide premier, development and division one competitions get under way tomorrow with the balance of power firmly favouring Western Bay clubs overall.

A cursory view of the Baywide premier winners since 1990 tells the story of the power shift in Bay of Plenty rugby away from Central and Eastern Bay to Western Bay clubs.

Between 1990 and 1996 Eastern Bay clubs won four titles with one more in 2004; while Rotorua clubs have won nine; the last being Whakarewarewa in 2006. Tauranga Sports (five), Te Puke Sports (two) and Mount Maunganui (last year) have won all eight finals played since then.

But the player drain away from Eastern and Central Bay clubs has stabilised with the top two teams in both regions with Opotiki, Whakatane Marist, Whakarewarewa and Rotoiti upbeat about their chances of breaking the Western Bay monopoly.

But it is unlikely the third teams joining the revamped competition, Paroa and Waikite, will be able to avoid some one-sided scorelines.

Whakarewarewa captain and Steamers second-five Doug Edwards believes the extra teams are important for developing rugby and keeping players in the regions.

"I grew up watching Waikite when they were at their peak and they were the best team in the Bay," Edwards said.

"When they played us they brought an intensity for 60 minutes that was a quality I enjoyed to watch; even though I was receiving it. It is really up to them how they manage to produce that game in, game out."

Opotiki will be strong in the forwards as always but new player Sam Carran says rugby generally in Eastern Bay is in better shape than it has been for years.

"Without a doubt we are going for a playoff spot this season. We want to prove it these first three weeks against three good sides in Tauranga Sports [home]; Te Puke and Mount Maunganui. We need to win one of those.

"We know that we are a really good team this year and have put together some really good performances."

Mount Maunganui Sports, Tauranga Sports, Te Puke Sports and Greerton Marist look most likely of the Western Bay clubs to be pushing for semifinal spots.

Tomorrow's opening round includes two local derbies certain to spark the passions. Mount Maunganui Sports host Te Puke Sports at Blake Park while Rangataua travel across town to take on Te Puna.

•Baywide teams
Premier/Development
Western Bay: Greerton Marist; Mount Maunganui Sports; Rangataua; Tauranga Sports; Te
Puke Sports; Te Puna.
Central Bay: Rotoiti; Waikite; Whakarewarewa.
Eastern Bay: Opotiki; Paroa; Whakatane Marist.

Division 1
Western Bay: Arataki; Judea; Katikati; Rangiuru.
Central Bay: Kahukura; Marist St Michael's; Ngongotaha; Galatea.
Eastern Bay: Ruatoki; Poroporo; Reporoa; Te Teko.

•Round 1, tomorrow
Premiers, 2.30pm; Development, 1.30pm
Mount Maunganui v Te Puke Sports; Blake Park; Opotiki v Tauranga Sports; Princess St Reserve; Rotoiti v Greerton Marist; Emery Park; Te Puna v Rangataua; Maramatanga Park; Waikite v Whakatane Marist; Bellvue Rd; Whakarewarewa v Paroa; Puarenga Park.

Division 1, 2.30pm
Kahukura v Ruatoki; Katikati v Judea; Moore Park; Marist St Michael's v Arataki; Marist Park 1; Rangiuru v Galatea; Centennial Park Te Puke; Reporoa v Ngongotaha; Te Teko v Poroporo.

Baywide Premiers
Winners: 1990: Waikite; 1991: Eastern Pirates; 1992: Whakatane Marist; 1993: Mt Maunganui; 1994: Eastern Pirates; 1995: Whakatane Marist; 1996: Waikite; 1997: Ngongotaha; 1998: Ngongotaha; 1999: Tauranga Sports; 2000: Waikite; 2002: Whakarewarewa; 2003: Tauranga Sports; 2004: Whakatane Marist; 2005: Mt Maunganui; 2006: Whakarewarewa; 2007: Tauranga Sports; 2008: Tauranga Sports; 2009: Tauranga Sports; 2010: Tauranga Sports; 2011: Te Puke Sports; 2012: Te Puke Sports; 2013: Tauranga Sports; 2014: Mt Maunganui Sports.