Baywide Hockey Weekend Preview - Week 2
Bay of Plenty Teams Ready to Build Momentum!
Image: Kim Wihare Pics
What a solid opening round to the 2026 Baywide competition! Our Bay of Plenty teams showed plenty of character and skill last weekend.
Week 1 Quick Wrap
Rotorua Aces Men claimed a comfortable 3-0 win over Otūmoetai Blues, with stalwarts Braythyn Lemon, Haeta Taylor and Owen Mitai-Wells on the scoresheet. They created plenty of chances and will look to be more clinical in front of goal this weekend.
BOP Indians went down 6-3 to Tauranga Old Boys United. After a slow start (3-0 down after the first quarter), they fought back strongly, led by Karambir “Ricky” Singh who smashed home three spectacular goals.
Omanu edged Hepi Sports with a last-minute winner in a tight contest.
Whakatāne Women defeated Mount Maunganui 2-1 in the rematch of the 2025 Intercity final, with Kamea Aldridge scoring both goals.
Whakatāne Men fell 2-0 to Mount Maunganui.
Here’s the lineup for Week 2, with the focus on our Bay of Plenty sides:
Key Matches This Weekend
Whakatāne Women vs Omanu Premier Blues (Tauranga) Whakatāne Women travel to Tauranga looking to make it two wins from two after their strong start last weekend. Omanu showed they can grind out results and will provide a solid test.
Player to Watch: Dani Maunder (Whakatāne Women) One of the experienced players in the side and last year’s leading goalscorer in the Intercity competition. Dani will be itching to get on the scoreboard and show the younger girls how to finish clinically.
Rotorua Aces Women vs Mount Maunganui (Deferred) The Aces Women’s opening match has been postponed and will now be played on Wednesday night at 7pm in Tauranga. After the bye last weekend, they’ll be fresh and determined to get their campaign off to a strong start.
Player to Watch: Stacey MacDonald (Rotorua Aces Women) BOP’s leading goal scorer at Masters and recently selected to the NZ Masters side, Stacey is ready to lead the attack up front. Watch for her to make a big impact.
Whakatāne Men vs Tauranga Old Boys United (Whakatāne, 1:30pm) Whakatāne Men host United at home and will be keen to bounce back from last week’s defeat. United started the season well and will come in confident, this should be a competitive battle on the Whakatāne turf.
Player to Watch: Carter Davies (Whakatāne Men) Back playing for Whakatāne after a stint with Mount last year. Carter will be looking to make an impact, and if he gets half a chance in the circle, watch out for one of his trademark reverse-stick finishes!
Rotorua Aces Men vs Mount Maunganui (Tauranga, 1:30pm) The Aces Men head to Tauranga for a crucial early matchup. After their solid opening win, they’ll be aiming to keep the momentum going against a Mount side that also picked up a result in Week 1.
Player to Watch: Clay Simpson (Rotorua Aces Men) The young goalkeeper will be playing his first games for the Aces and will be determined to have a strong outing, keeping Mount off the scoreboard with some key saves.
BOP Indians vs Otūmoetai Blues (3:00pm) The Indians will be looking to build on their fighting performance from last weekend. Otūmoetai will be hungry to bounce back after their opening loss.
Player to Watch: Harmanpreet Singh (BOP Indians) Recently named in the Mavericks JHL side, Harmanpreet will be looking to have even more influence on the game this week and help drive the Indians forward.
A big weekend (and midweek) of Baywide hockey ahead! Our Bay of Plenty teams have a great mix of experience and rising talent, and there’s plenty more to come as the competition heats up.
Get down to your local turf or head across to Tauranga for the away games and support the BOP crews loud and proud, and enjoy the action.
