Fierce women's intercity hockey rivalries will resume this weekend as crosstown rivals Otumoetai and Mount Maunganui go head-to-head.

Tauranga Hockey Centre will host the city's five premier club teams in four games across the Midlands Intercity Women's and Men's competitions, putting the world class facilities to the test on Saturday.

The Midlands Intercity Women's 9-a side competition starts tomorrow. Photo: File.

The premier matches signal the start of the women's 2014 competition with an additional nine-a-side competition to be played during the next four weeks. After the four weeks teams will return to the standard 11-a-side competition.

It also sees defending champions Bayleys Otumoetai open their campaign against CMS Mount in a highly anticipated home derby.

Tauranga Hockey Association general manager Clyde du Toit says the decision to introduce the early season format is a way to negate the decline in team numbers and extend the season.

'It's a nice way to start the season; there is a huge amount of running and certainly tests the fitness levels early on,” says Clyde.

'The women are chomping at the bit to get going and it's always good to have a home derby first up.”

In Round five of the men's competition all three Tauranga sides host visiting sides with CMS Mount facing Valley United, Bayleys Otumoetai taking on Kohekohe and Tauranga Old Boys up against Waiau Pa.

And with the five teams in action at home, something of a rarity, it is a 'fantastic” chance for the association and teams to showcase the sport to players and spectators alike, says Clyde.

Midlands Intercity Women's competition:

Thames Valley United v Franklin Barbarians – 2pm

Classic Hits Taupo v Rotorua Aces – 2.30pm

CMS Mount v Bayleys Otumoetai – 1.30pm

Midlands Intercity Men's competition round 5:

CMS Mount v Valley United – 3pm.

Bayleys Otumoetai v Kohekohe – 1.30pm

Tauranga Old Boys v Waiau Pa – 3pm.