At Stembridge Rd, Ngongotaha look likely to register their second consecutive win when they play Waikato Unicol.
There is no clear favourite in the Otumoetai v Otorohanga game at Fergusson Park while Melville United could make it two consecutive losses for Claudelands Rovers. In the final match Tauranga Boys' College host AFC Fury in what promises to be another close encounter.
- By Brian Smith
Rugby
The PGG Wrightson Baywide competition is spread out over three days of Easter starting tonight.
The premier games kick off with Whakarewarewa hosting Waikite at Puarenga Park tomorrow. While the home side are unbeatenthis season, they sit just off the pace after a 22-all draw with Tauranga Sports. Waikite are going through re-building and bounced back last weekend edging Opotiki by 31-27.
A mouth-watering match-up will take place at Maramatanga Park when Te Puna and Rotoiti put their unbeaten records on the line. Both sides have undergone a renaissance posting two emphatic wins apiece.
Bay of Plenty Steamers legend Wayne Ormond is back where it all started for him in a co-coach and playing role for Rotoiti. He has joined long-time Rotoiti player Joe Fenton in taking charge of the Rotoiti troops, with spectacular success in the first two games of the season. First up the Rotorua lakesiders blitzed long-time rivals Waikite 57-18, while last weekend they ran in nine tries on their way to defeating Rangataua 58-14 in the Western Bay of Plenty.
While Te Puna have retained the nucleus of last season's first fifteen, three quality players have joined their ranks during the off season. Plenty of experience has been added to the side with the inclusion of New Zealand sevens player Lance MacDonald and former Highlander Daniel Quate. At the other end of the spectrum schoolboy star Te Aihe Toma has also joined the Maramatanga based side.
Tauranga Sports and Mount Maunganui, who are both in an unfamiliar position near the bottom of the points standings, will play out a Western Bay battle of the bridge at the Tauranga Domain. Defending Baywide champions Te Puke Sports should be too strong for Greerton Marist at Te Puke Sports headquarters, with Opotiki hosting Rangataua in the Eastern Bay.
Premier Draw
Friday: Whakarewarewa v Waikite, Puarenga Park (Kick off 2.45pm), Saturday: Te Puna v Rotoiti, Maramatanga Park; Tauranga Sports v Mount Maunganui, Tauranga Domain; Te Puke Sports v Greerton Marist, Murray Salt Stadium; Opotiki v Rangataua, Princess Street Reserve (All games kick off 2.45pm).
Division One Draw
Tonight: Poroporo v Whakatane Marist, Poroporo Park (Kick off 7pm), Friday: Marist St Michaels v Paroa, Marist Park; Te Teko v Kahukura, Dunderdale Park; Reporoa v Ngongotaha, Reporoa (All games kick off 1pm), Saturday: Ruatoki v Rangiuru, Tuhoe Park (Kick off 2.45pm).
- By Sports Reporters
Netball
The Aotearoa Maori National Netball tournament celebrates its silver jubilee in Rotorua, hosted by Waiariki Maori Netball where it all began back in 1987.
This year 11 regions will each be represented by five teams in under 13, 15, 17, 19 and premier divisions.
Waiariki regional coordinator Melody Wilson said a number of well known netballers had played in the competition over the years, including Magic coach Noeline Taurua, Silver Ferns coach Wai Taumaunu and former Silver Fern Jenny-May Coffin.
Wilson said Waiariki always had strong sides for the Easter tournament, with their main threats coming from Tamaki Makaurau, Tainui and Ikaroa ki te Raki.
She said a highlight of the tournament was the selection of the Aotearoa Maori secondary schools side to compete in a transtasman tournament. "The tournament's a stepping stone for them," she said. "Nine out of 10 of our girls end up in the New Zealand secondary schools side or at least trialists for it."
Play starts 9am Saturday and Sunday at the Westbrook Courts.
- By Katie Holland
Speedway
It's the season finale at Rotorua's Paradise Valley Raceway and organisers are expecting two action-packed nights of racing.
There will be competition over seven classes, including the traditional Easter classes of superstocks, stockcars and modifieds.
Club spokeswoman Sonja Hickey said most local drivers would be competing as well as a large number of out-of-towners.
"It's our last fling of the season and we've got people from all over the country coming," she said. "There should be some good racing."
Racing starts at 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information www.rotoruaspeedway.co.nz.
- By Katie Holland
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