Bartercard Baywide Rugby Review 18 July 2010

While the top three teams confirmed berths in the Bartercard Baywide Premier semi-finals on Saturday (17 July 2010), the fourth spot will go down to the wire next weekend.

Rangataua won a battle of attrition with third placed Te Puke Sports, to still have a theoretical opportunity to play post section rugby. The home side ground out a 13-6 victory over the fellow Western Bay side, to remain in contention for a top four finish.

The first half was a real arm wrestle with the home side establishing a narrow 5-3 lead at the break, before Rangataua ran in a second try, to take out the encounter 13-6. For the winners Rob Hunter and Toko Ririnui were awarded touchdowns, with John Ririnui kicking a penalty goal - with Aaron Sutherland and Brett McLeod kicking a penalty goal apiece for Te Puke.

Rangataua’s success saw the Jordan Cup (Western BOP challenge trophy) return to the club who started the season with the long time Western Bay trophy.

Rotoiti went within a whisker of booking a berth in the semi-finals, when they went down to defending champions Tauranga Sports 24-23. The first half at the Tauranga Domain belonged to the visitors, with Rotoiti having established an 18-5 lead at the break.

Tauranga Sports worked their way to a 24-18 lead courtesy of second half touchdowns to Afai Esera, Adam Robinson and Jason Karauria. In the last play of the game Rotoiti replacement Manasa Bole scored a try out wide. The Rotoiti players could only watch with sinking hearts, as the kick to win the match (and secure a semi-final berth) drifted away from the uprights.

With Tauranga Sports, Mount Maunganui and Te Puke Sports having secured a semi-final place – The scenario in next weekends last round is that Rotoiti who haven’t won a match since late May, must beat Opotiki to finish fourth. If Rotoiti lose, Rangataua must defeat bottom placed Te Teko to grab the last post section place.

In other Premier encounters Whakarewarewa dropped out of contention when they were defeated by Opotiki 22-18. Whakatane Marist continued their late season revival getting home from Te Puna 23-11, with Mount Maunganui winning a high scoring match against Te Teko 63-35.

While Rangiuru lost just their second match of the year against Reporoa 29-12, the Western Bay side had already secured a Division One home semi-final. Waikite preserved their unbeaten record with a relatively narrow win against Ngongotaha 25-17, Greerton Marist got past Marist St Michaels 27-12, with Kahukura steamrolling Ruatoki 63 nil.

In Baywide Colts action, second round leaders Te Puke Sports won a real battle with long time rivals Mount Maunganui 13-3, Ngongotaha and Tauranga Sports battled to a 13 all draw, with Greerton Marist finding winning form again when they defeated Opotiki 35-22,

Bartercard Baywide Rugby Results 17 July 2010

Premier
Tauranga Sports 24 (Steven Honey, Afai Esera, Adam Robinson, Jason Karauria tries; Karauria 2con) Rotoiti 23 (Manasa Bole, David Fraser, Luther Robinson, Elijah Haira-Wilson tries; Joe Fenton pen). HT: 5-18.

Opotiki 22 (Kevin Waterson, Francis Cameron, Te Amo Wilbore tries; Sam Howe 2con pen) Whakarewarewa 18 (Tamati Rhind, Barney Te Kani tries; Haimona 2pen con). HT: 5-13.

Mount Maunganui 63 (Zar Lawrence 2, Ted Tauroa, Sam Juricich, Troye Elvin, Andy Devoy, Taita Love, Chad Jacobs, Jah Smith, Zion Nordstrom tries; Juricich pen con, Peter Maisey 4con) Te Teko 35 (Dan Godbold, Luke O'Brien, Mikaere Ngamotu, Don Te Maipi, Lee Peina tries; Peina 5con). HT: 22-5.

Rangataua 13 (Rob Hunter, Toko Ririnui tries; John Ririnui pen) Te Puke 6 (Aaron Sutherland pen, Brett McLeod pen. HT: 5-3.

Whakatane Marist 23 (Abe Tito 2, Pineaha McNeil tries; Craig Edwards 2pen con) Te Puna 11 (Aidan Kuka try; Darrell Houia 2pen).

Premier Points Table
Tauranga Sports 66, Mount Maunganui 62. Te Puke Sports 51, Rotoiti 49, Rangataua 45, Whakarewarewa 43, Opotiki 37, Whakatane Marist 34, Te Puna 28, Te Teko 19.

Division One: Kahukura 63 Ruatoki 0, Greerton Marist 27 Marist St Michaels 12, Reporoa 29 Rangiuru 12, Waikite 25 Ngongotaha 17.
Points Table
Waikite 75, Rangiuru 63, Kahukura 44, Ngongotaha 43, Greerton Marist 42, Reporoa 35, Paroa 33, Ruatoki 21, Marist St Michaels 19.

Colts:
Division One: Te Puke Sports 13 Mount Maunganui 3, Tauranga Sports 13 Ngongotaha 13, Greerton Marist 35 Opotiki 22.
Division Two: Te Puna 38 Whakarewarewa 18, Marist St Michaels 61 Rotoiti 7, Whakatane Marist won by default.

For further information contact:
Mike Rogers BOPRU Operations Manager
DDI 07 927 1316 029 478 4292