Rugby fans will be spoilt for choice with rivalry matches, Greerton Marist's Homes for Hope charity game, and the Baywide Premier Women's competition taking place across the Bay of Plenty this weekend.

A Bay of Plenty Rugby Union spokesperson says it is the final week for the Premier competition and the second to last week for the Division 1 competition before teams enter the second round.

'Rotoiti have secured themselves in the top eight following their 30 – 5 win over Paroa on Wednesday evening. However, results are still crucial for teams to secure their position in the top four of the Division 1 competition.

'The Baywide Premier Women's competition enters their third week in a competitive series of match ups.”

BAYWIDE PREMIER COMPETITION: Whakatane Marist v Poroporo

An Eastern Bay derby this weekend is certain to draw a vocal and supportive crowd to watch a competitive match between the two local sides.

Whakatane Marist coach Craig Edwards is excited for the local derby this weekend and is expecting be a big crowd.

'It is a pretty big derby and we haven't played against each other in a while so it should be a pretty good game, and I'm sure a pretty good crowd will turn out for it.”

Edwards says Whakatane Marist will be directing their focus on establishing pressure in the opposition 22 through retaining possession, and he hopes his team will utilise this game to set a positive platform leading into the second round.

'Pulling multiple phases together to build pressure and retaining the ball will hopefully set us up to score at the right end of the field.

'This weekend we will be trying to get our structures into place. Hopefully we can build on our structures this weekend and move forward into the second round in a strong position.”

Reflecting on his side's performance last weekend, Poroporo coach Eddie Maui says he saw a huge improvement in the team's performance compared to previous weeks.

Moving forward to this week, he says it's important for Poroporo to build on last week's performance to ensure they get some confidence going into the Premier two round.

'It's been a challenging step up for us but we will be better off for the experience.”

Maui is excited for the upcoming game and has asked his team to be competitive for the full eighty minutes, focusing on ensuring the forwards provide good ball for the backs.

'We will look to try and match Whakatane Marist up front and lay a platform for our backs who last week found some form. We will need to stay focused for the whole 80 as we have not started well all season which puts us on the back foot immediately.

'We do not want to play catch up footy. Marist have always been a good side and has been at the forefront of Eastern Bay rugby for a long time so for us to be playing at the same level as them is exciting as I am sure the game will be as well.”

BAYWIDE DIVISION 1 COMPETITION: Te Teko v Waikite

Te Teko, currently in fifth position on 27 points with a game in hand to play, will be searching for a win this Saturday to confirm their place in the top four.

While Waikite on 36 points are almost guaranteed a top four finish.

Highlighting the importance of the result from this weekend's game for his side, Te Teko's head coach Simon Geddes says it is the business end of the season and set piece are areas they have to deliver on.

'We have been going really well with our line outs, but last weekend Kahukura pushed us around a bit in the scum and set the tone for the game. They could disrupt our scrum and challenge us to get the ball going forward.

'They have a pretty big forward pack and containing them will be our main focus and if we can achieve that and get a bit of dominance there then we will have a good chance of winning that.”

Waikite head coach Kevin Lee says his side is looking ahead to the next round now and they are hoping to get better and improve as individuals.

An area of focus for the team is on enthusiasm, not just on the field but off the field as well, he says.

'A key focus for us is enthusiasm and ensuring we are coming together as a team both on the field and off the field. It is all about those individuals looking after themselves in terms of injury preparation and that all folds into the team environment.

Lee also sympathises with the Te Teko side, having been in the same boat of having to play mid-week and then again on Saturday.

'For me as a coach I am just looking for enthusiasm from the boys. We want the boys to go out there excited wanting to play and front against Te Teko despite already making the top four.

'They will be coming out all guns blazing against us this weekend as they are more or less in a must win situation for both this evening when they play Opotiki and come Saturday and we have just got to try and match that.”

BAYWIDE WOMEN'S COMPETITION: Waikite v Whakarewarewa

Whakarewarewa return refreshed following a bye week will host Waikite in a Central Bay derby.

Waikite, put through their paces by a dominant Rangataua side last weekend, will be hoping to take a number of learnings and look for an improved performance. While Whakarewarewa is currently unbeaten, they will no doubt be tested by their rivals in a competitive encounter this weekend.

Whakarewarewa head coach Ron James says it will be another step up for his this weekend, and it is always a hard game against Waikite no matter which team you are in, 'whether it is women's, men's or development”.

'For us it will be just building on what we have started improving on and going from there. Waikite have a very strong scrum and that will be one thing we will be looking at doing is upping our performance at our set piece. Mostly just carrying on with our structure that we have slowly built into.”

'I would say there would be a fair bit of interest in it, always is with these two tribal teams when they play each other.”

Waikite coach Tina Stephens reflecting on last weekend's performance says there is a number of key areas the team will need to deliver on this weekend.

'Defence all round especially around the ruck area for us is a key work on. In addition to this control of the ball ensuring we have clean distribution to our back line is another important focus for us.

'Ball retention throughout the game will be important for us, but also making sure our defence maintains their line, making the advantage line on set plays and counteracting broken play. These are points that we need to continue to work on from our previous performances.”

BAYWIDE PREMIER AND PREMIER DEVELOPMENT DRAW:

Saturday, May 27 – Premier kick-off: 2.45pm / Premier Development kick-off: 1.00pm

• Mount Maunganui Sports v Arataki at Blake Park
• Whakatane Marist v Poroporo at Rugby Park
• Te Puna v Te Puke Sports at Maramatanga Park
• Rotoiti v Whakarewarewa at Emery Park
• Tauranga Sports v Paroa at Tauranga Domain
• Greerton Marist v Rangataua at Greerton Park

BAYWIDE DIVISION 1 DRAW:

Saturday, May 27 – Kick-off: 2.45pm

• Ruatoki v Waimana at Tuhoe Park
• Katikati v Papamoa at Moore Park
• Kahukura v Marist St Michael's at Kuirau Park
• Opotiki v Rangiuru at Princess St Reserve
• Te Teko v Waikite at Dunderdale Park
• Judea v Ngongotaha at Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park

BAYWIDE PREMIER WOMEN'S DRAW:

Sunday, May 28 – Kick-off: 1.00pm

• Te Whanau Apanui v Rotoiti at Te Kaha
• Waikite v Rangiuru at Bellvue Road
• Rangataua v Waimana at Te Ariki Park
• Rangiuru - Bye

For the 2017 Baywide Premier Club Rugby draw and weekly results, visit boprugby.co.nz