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

While it is only a week since the cricket bats and balls were put away for the winter - local rugby has hit the ground running and is in full swing.

While it took a few years to be universally accepted but Baywide rugby is alive and well and extremely competitive. After a couple of reviews, Sideline Sid believes that Bay of Plenty Rugby has got the Baywide format spot on.

Two division of the Baywide senior rugby, with automatic promotion relegation gives the competition a real edge from the opening day of the season. The two full rounds of competition means a season of attrition until late July.

The axe of relegation is poised from season start, which gives the premier and division one competitions real interest, both with the genuine contenders and also the tail-enders.

Six Western Bay sides fly the regions flag in the premier ranks. Defending Baywide champions Te Puke Sports along with Tauranga Sports, Mount Maunganui, Rangataua, Te Puna and Greerton Marist who won promotion last season after annexing the Division One title, give the Western Bay a strong hand.

Traditional Rotorua heavyweights of Whakarewarewa, Waikite and Rotoiti and Eastern Bay representatives Opotiki complete the premier starting list.

While it is early days, there is a new look to the leader board after three rounds of the new season. Rotoiti who have finished in the middle of the pack in recent years, have shot out of the blocks and lead the premier standings with a unbeaten record. Legendary Bay Ranfurly Shield winning skipper Wayne Ormond has returned to his roots and inspired his side early success.

The other undefeated premier contender is Te Puke Sports, who make no secret of their desire of back to back Baywide titles after breaking their Baywide duck last season. They have averaged over forty points a game in their first three outings and have conceded just three touchdowns.

Opotiki, have gone from strength to strength since earning promotion several years ago, and sit in third equal place with Whakarewarewa. Te Puna have recruited well in the off season and gave Rotoiti a real shake last weekend, before going down 19-13 in a game where both sides scored a try apiece.

The surprise to the season start is former champions Tauranga Sports and Mount Maunganui languishing well down the early standings. However, the title race is a marathon not a sprint so it would be unwise to write both sides out of contention.

Division One is represented by a solitary Western Bay side – however Rangiuru could annex the title for the local region after a solid start. Former New Zealand Sevens player Peter Woods, who is in charge of the head coaching duties, has an outstanding team manager in Bay Rugby legend Mark Basham.

The future of Baywide rugby is firmly in the hands of the 13 teams that contest the Colts title race. It would be a huge surprise if the championship went anywhere but the Western Bay of Plenty.

Mount Maunganui and Greerton Marist have made the early running posting unbeaten records. Defending champions Te Puke Sports are going through the age group cycle, whereby championship winning sides have to rebuild after players move on to senior rugby.

Other local Baywide age group contenders are Te Puna who have made a strong start, previous champions Tauranga Sports and Rangataua.

Seeya at the Game.