Crunch time for premier sides

Premier rugby teams get to show just what their season is made of as they prepare to embark on a testing two match stretch in four days.

Thanks to the Easter period Baywide Bayfair Premier Club Rugby shifts into overdrive offering up some eye-catching matches in what could well be a crucial period for some team's title aspirations.

A Tauranga Sports player in full flight against Mount Maunganui Sports in Round 2. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Between Thursday and Saturday the 10 clubs each play their Round 4 match before the quick turnaround for Monday's showing.

As it stands Whakarewarewa and Te Puke remain unbeaten on 13 points after three rounds closely followed by Tauranga Sports and Rotoiti.

And on Friday Rotoiti gets an early chance to make a statement hosting Greerton, with both sides fresh from high scoring victories.

Rotoiti senior coach Kevin Lee says with it being relatively early in the season, he is looking forward to the match in what is a gauge of where his side looking forward who might book a spot in the semifinals.

Greerton senior coach Kane Parker is wary of Rotoiti, a team that has been going well in recent weeks including a 40-30 victory over Mount Maunganui.

'They're normally a top team and we're looking forward to a really tough game, especially on their home ground. Kevin has got his team going really well,” says kane.

Then on Monday Tauranga Sports and Whakarewarewa do battle after facing stern tests with Te Puke Sports and Rangataua respectively.

Tauranga Sports senior coach Mike Rogers says their opponents deserve top billing heading into the round after an unblemished start.

"Whaka is top of the table and their form has been very good so we're treating the game as a tough one,” says Mike.

'The rivalry between Whaka and Tauranga between 2006-2009/10 when Whaka's coach Ngarimu used to captain the team, saw us both as top clubs during those years and it's good to see Whaka coming up the top again."

Whakarewarewa senior coach Ngarimu Simpkins says the defending champions have been the bench mark for Bay of Plenty Club Rugby for a couple of years now but is eyeing a strong showing from his charges.

'We're a new look Whaka team and we are going is as the underdogs but we're confident in our ability,” says Ngarimu.

Week 4's draw, double header:

Thursday 17 April

Te Puna v Mount at Maramatanga Park - Kick off: Dev 6pm, Prem 7.30pm.

Rangiuru v Opotiki at Centennial Park - Kick off: Dev time TBC, Prem 7pm.

Friday 18 April

Rotoiti v Greerton at Emery Park - Kick off: Dev 1pm, Prem 2.45pm.

Whakarewarewa v Rangataua at Puarenga Park - Kick off: Dev 1pm, Prem 2.45pm.

Saturday 19 April

Te Puke v Tauranga at Murray Salt Stadium - Kick off: Dev 1pm, Prem 2.45pm.

Monday 21 April

Development kick off 1pm Premiers kick off 2.45pm

Greerton Marist v Mount Maunganui at Greerton Park.

Tauranga Sports v Whakarewarewa at Tauranga Domain.

Opotiki v Rotoiti at Princess Street Reserve.

Te Puna v Te Puke Sports at Maramatanga Park.

Rangataua v Rangiuru at Te Ariki Park.

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