Rugby: Promotion for Waikite just one step away

GRAND FINAL: Waikite will go up against Paroa tomorrow in the Baywide division one final. Pictured are Waikite (black and yellow) in action earlier this season.PHOTO/ BEN FRASER A-180514BF16

Waikite will travel to Whakatane with one mission - to bring home the Baywide division one title and win promotion into the Baywide premier grade.

The division one final between Waikite and Paroa will be played tomorrow at Rugby Park in Whakatane at 2.45pm.

To advance to the final, Waikite defeated Poroporo 24-22 in the last round of the regular season before beating Arataki 21-17 last weekend in the semifinal.

Waikite coach Charles Te Kowhai said he expected another close battle tomorrow against Paroa, who played similar rugby to Poroporo and Arataki.

"Poroporo, Arataki and Paroa are very similar teams in the way they play the game," he said.

"They are similar both in size and stature and the way they play, so that is a helpful build-up [for us]."

Te Kowhai said a lot of Waikite supporters, from Ngati Whakaue, were planning on travelling to Whakatane.

"The whole tribe is behind us," he said. "There will be heaps going over in supporters' vans and that kind of thing. We had a big crowd go over for Arataki as well."

Waikite last played in the premier grade in 2012 and will try everything possible to re-join the top grade next season.

Te Kowhai said his team had been preparing as normal this week and were looking forward to the challenge.

Paroa will be a tough opponent tomorrow after going through the regular season undefeated. They also defeated Kahukura last weekend 27-20, in the semifinal, to make it 10 straight victories for the season.

Paroa coach George Harawira said they would not take Waikite lightly.

"I expect a hard game against Waikite. They've been flying under the radar for the last couple of weeks and have become pretty prominent.

"To win away from home at Arataki last week took a big effort so we're hoping that they have used all their energy up there."

Other finals at Rugby Park tomorrow include the division two final between Ruatoki and Judea (12.45pm) and the senior reserve final between Tauranga and Poroporo (midday).