League: Positive Pikiao fired up for rematch

Pikiao Warriors' Lorne Green and his side will look to reverse their losing result from earlier in the season against Taniwharau.

Revenge is on the agenda for Pikiao Warriors in their first game of the second round of the Waicoa Bay premiership.

Fifth-placed Pikiao will take on second in the table Taniwharau at home tomorrow and are looking to redeem themselves after a 54-18 loss to their opponents in the reverse fixture.

The side are feeling refreshed after last weekend's bye and coach Henry Lingman said his team learned "a lot of hard lessons" from their defeat to Taniwharau - Pikiao's opening game of the season.

"Everyone is feeling fresher after the break. It's not great to miss game time but we've tried to turn it into a positive," he said.

"It was a hard loss to take but we have greatly progressed since. Players were in different positions and we definitely were not at full strength. We now have our halves back playing where they belong and we are starting to find good combinations and our sets are a lot stronger. I know Taniwharau will be all over it. They are second in the table for a reason. We will most certainly have to bring our A-game."

Pikiao are the underdogs going into the match having recorded two wins, three losses and three draws so far this season.

However, Taniwharau are just three points ahead, on 14, with six wins.

"We are good enough to be challenging the top sides in the league and I want the players to prove it on the pitch," said Lingman. "If the supporters get behind us and we stick to a clinical game plan then we must have the belief we can get the result we want.

"We have been finding ourselves over the last few weeks. I think we are really starting to click as a team and support each other fully."

Meanwhile, seventh-placed Ngongotaha Chiefs will visit bottom-of-the-table United.

They go into the game with a renewed vigour after recording their second win of the competition, over Turangawaewae 32-30 last weekend.

Tomorrow's games

Waicoa Bay Premiership

(Kick-off 2.45pm)

Pikiao Warriors v Taniwharau, Puketawhero Park, Rotorua; United v Ngongotaha Chiefs, Resthills Park, Hamilton; Pacific Sharks v Taupo Phoenix, Memorial Park, Tokoroa; Otumoetai Eels v Hamilton City Tigers, Mitchell Park, Tauranga; Turangawaewae - bye.

Waicoa Bay Reserves

(Kick-off 1pm)

Pikiao Warriors v Taniwharau, Puketawhero Park, Rotorua; United v Central Lions, Resthills Park, Hamilton; Pacific Sharks v Reporoa Razorbacks, Memorial Park, Tokoroa; Otumoetai Eels v Hamilton City Tigers, Mitchell Park, Tauranga; Turangawaewae - bye.

Bay of Plenty/ Coastline Division 1

(Kick-off 1pm)

Tauhara Te Maunga v Taneatua Warriors, Hickling Park, Taupo; Putauaki Stags v Mangakino Hawks, Taneatua Domain, Taneatua; Papamoa Bulldogs - bye.