One of the tightest Bayfair Baywide Premier Club Rugby title races in recent years clicks into overdrive this weekend with semifinals taking place in Te Puke and Tauranga.

After a tense final round in torrid conditions, Te Puke faces Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Sports hosts Whakarewarewa after the Mount fell to Whakarewarewa 7-3 and Tauranga getting past Greerton Marist 16-5.

Te Puke versus Mount Maunganui earlier this season. Photo: Anita Le Gallais

Te Puke coach Craig Jeffries says to clinch a home semifinal against the Mount is as good as it gets and the side is up for the challenge.

'We've worked hard all year and now it's time to see if it pays off. Hopefully the weather Gods are a little kinder this week and we see some quality footy,” says Jeffries.

The ledger is currently one a piece this season with Mount wining the Round 1 match 53-10 and Te Puke the return leg 24-18.

Mount Maunganui coach Rodney Vollaire admits it has been a hard fought season to date, but his side has earnt the right to be in the playoff mix.

After a focused week at training, with the players growing in confidence, Vollaire says one of the hardest things is informing players on missing out on a starting spot.

'But we have tried to create a non-selfish culture at the Marlins, where it's about the team and not your personal gain,” says Vollaire.

'Only 22 can take the park of a squad of 34. It's a hard one, especially when you're dealing with guys emotions and dedication they put in around young families, work and relationships.

But he definitely sees weak points in the opponents game plan and will be urging is players to exploit them this weekend.

At Tauranga Domain, the home side is looking to continue its winning form against Whakarewarewa having won both fixtures so far this season. the defending champions have accounted for the Rotorua side 24-17 and 34-26.

Tauranga coach Mike Rogers says though the side has come out on top, there is no underestimating the opponents.

'They deserve their spot in finishing third in the end which is a pretty big improvement on where they've been in the last couple of years,” says Rogers.

'We are not taking them lightly and based on the fact that Whaka put 67 points on Te Puke I guess maybe we're the underdogs going into this match."

Whakarewarewa coach Ngarimu Simpkins says the side is firmly the underdog but the side is excite4d and more than capable of producing a boil over.

'We'll be chucking in the kitchen sink this match. There is a real buzz here in Rotorua and definitely at the Whaka club rooms,” says Simpkins.

'The last time Whakarewarewa reached the semifinals was in 2011."

Premier semifinals:

Te Puke v Mount Maunganui at Te Puke Sports, 2.45pm Tauranga v Whakarewarewa at Tauranga Domain, 2.45pm

Premier Development semifinals:

Tauranga v Mount Maunganui at Tauranga Domain, 1pm Te Puke v Greerton at Te Puke Sports, 1pm

First Division:

Waikite v Poroporo at Bellvue Road, 2.45 pm Katikati v Whakatane Marist at Moore Park, 2.45 pm Arataki v Ngongotaha at Arataki Park, 2.45 pm Marist St Michaels v Kahukura at Marist Park, 2.45 pm Paroa v Te Teko at Lawson Park, 2.45 pm

Baywide Second Division quarter finals:

Reporoa v Waimana at Reporoa, 2.45pm Judea v Murupara at Judea, 2.45pm Ruatoki v Papamoa at Ruatoki, 2.45pm

Baywide Senior B quarter finals: Ngongotaha v Paroa at Ngongotaha, 1pm Tauranga v Kahukura at Domain, 1pm Poroporo v Arataki at Poroporo, 1pm