Bears and Hawks in face-off today

The Waitara Bears will be looking to build on their strong start to the Western Alliance Rugby League competition when taking on the Hawera Hawks in what promises to be a close encounter at Clifton Park in Waitara this afternoon.

The Bears are coming off a hard-fought 32-16 away win over Palmerston North's Kia Ora Warriors in the opening round last Saturday.

The performance was more solid than it may appear, as the Bears lost their two starting props, Hemi Rawiri and Cory Balson early with injury.

Bears coach Stacey O'Carroll is not naming his team, but expects to have Rawiri available, while Balson is doubtful due to a shoulder injury.

The Hawks will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record, after thumping the Kia Ora Warriors 50-16 in the first round.

In other matches of the round involving Taranaki teams, Normanby/Okaiawa Knights host the Dannevirke Tigers at Normanby Domain, Western Suburbs Tigers clash with Horowhenua's Whiti Te Ra at Ngamotu Domain in New Plymouth. The New Plymouth side will be hoping to turnaround their 62-2 hiding from Dannevirke last weekend.

In the remaining two games, the Coastal Cobras are away to Kia Ora Warriors in Palmerston North and Central Cougars host Bell Block Marist Dragons at the Page St ground in Stratford.

- © Fairfax NZ News