Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

While the Easter weekend break provided plenty of rugby action, the decision by many clubs to schedule their games on Thursday evening or Good Friday, meant that there was little serious club rugby on display in Tauranga on Saturday.

However, on Friday Premier Baywide rugby and grassroots facilities combined to showcase an entertaining game which attracted a reasonably large crowd.

With the Tauranga Domain being spelled as the council attempts to keep the number one field in pristine condition as a Rugby World Cup training venue in September – Sideline Sid was on the sideline at the Wharepai Domain on Easter Friday.

Limited boundaries, no organised seating, and no on-site changing rooms, didn't detract from the Baywide premier game between Tauranga Sports and Waikite.

In a move copied from the round ball game, the Waikite supporters camped just outside the try line of their yellow and black brigade, changing ends at halftime.

The Tauranga Sports' many fans had little trouble finding good vantage points at the Wharepai ground, lining the field, and sitting on the bank and concrete structure on the far side of the paddock.

The two sides were happy to change in the nearby Tauranga Domain and jog over the hill, ready to go to battle.

What was interesting about the match-up was that the two contestants came from different spectrums of Baywide rugby in recent seasons.

Tauranga Sports has stood supreme in the premier championship, having annexed four successive Baywide top echelon championships.

This season the team based at the Tauranga Domain, are chasing unprecedented fifth successive premier title. By contrast the team from the Sulphur City have languished in division one in recent season.

A decade ago Waikite was a true Baywide heavyweight and was the team that the Western Bay clubs most wanted to beat (especially in Rotorua). Tough times and a spell in the second echelon have provided the desire to compete in the premier ranks again.

Such had been Waikite's early season success that they sat in third place on the points ledger on arrival in Tauranga – one point ahead of Tauranga Sports.

The first half was a reasonably dour encounter with Tauranga Sports taking a narrow 14-10 advantage into the halftime break.

While the home side ran in two further touchdowns, it was the boot of Tauranga Sports kicker that punished the Waikite indiscretions in the home sides half.

Sports first five Lewis Hancock, who has returned home from university studies in Dunedin – was merciless as he kicked five penalty goals to accompany three successful conversions attempts.

The final score of 41-17 to Tauranga Sports didn't really reflect a match where Waikite was extremely competitive throughout. The 21-point tally from the Tauranga first five, showed the real value of having a genuine sharp shooter with the boot.

With Tauranga Sports now four points ahead of Waikite – it will be interesting to see the two sides' respective positions on the points ladder, when they meet in the second round in Rotorua, on June 25.

Go the Breakers (Again)