Round nine of the Baywide section one rugby competition was expected to clarify the top eight contenders, who will compete in the Baywide premier championship. However two upset results on Saturday (24 May 2008) have created a logjam in the middle of the competitions point’s ladder.

While Opotiki have been competitive all season - only there most ardent supporters could see them defeating Mount Maunganui at Blake Park. Sitting in ninth position on the point’s ledger going into the encounter, the Eastern Bay visitors took control early in the match, to lead 22-7 at the half way break.

While there was a fight back from Mount Maunganui in the second spell – Opotiki went on to emerge as decisive winners taking out the encounter 31-19. The five tries to the visitors earned Opotiki a valuable bonus point with Brian Davies leading the way with two touchdowns.

The second surprise came when Te Teko posted their fourth win in a row - when overcoming Rotoiti at Dunderdale Park. In a match that became a battle of attrition, Tupu Burgess scored two tries for Te Teko, as his side got home 18-11. The latest win sees Te Teko who has come from the bottom of the point’s ledger now sitting in seventh position.

In a match where victory was essential to remaining in the top eight Rangataua defeated Kahukura 30-22 at Kuirau Park. With the two upsets and a bonus point for scoring four tries - Kahukura still remain in contention to make the premier championship.

At Maramatanga Park, home side Te Puna finally put the pieces together to run over Whakatane Marist 41-13. While the first half belonged to Te Puna who led 27-6 at the break, sustained pressure from the visitors had Te Puna back pedalling for much of the second spell. Two quick tries to Quinton Gardiner and Aidan Kuka with fifteen minutes remaining, wrapped up the home sides victory.

Competition leaders Whakarewarewa, had a good old fashioned arm wrestle with Te Puke Sports before taking the game 26-13, with Tauranga Sports proving too good for bottom placed Waikite 46-13.

Upsets also abounded in section two. Reporoa defied a label as poor travellers to get past Kawerau 27-17 with Paroa and Taneatua also surprising against Papamoa and Judea respectively.

Greerton Marist continued their undefeated season record overwhelming Poroporo 70-10. Rangiuru moved into second place on the points tally, with a hard fought victory over Marist St Michaels 20-14, with Arataki cementing their place in the top four after overcoming Ngongotaha 22-7

Unbeaten Colts side Mount Maunganui continued on their winning way defeating Ngongotaha 31 nil. A clash between two sides near the top of the table saw Te Puke Sports sneak home from Whaka 19-17.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Baywide Results 24 May 2008

Section One:

Tauranga Sports 46 (Matt Hodson 2, Matt Biu, Culum Retallick, Brett Johnson, Eruera Haimona, Steven Wallace, Josh Hall tries; Haimona 2con, Sio Atelemo con) Waikite 12 (Dane Keepa, Mack Hudson tries; Hamu Hudson con).  HT: 19-7.

Rangataua 30 (Glen Strang 2, Timoti Gardiner, John Kuka tries; Strang 2con 2pen) Kahukura 22 (Craig Aitu, Josh Rauluni, Charles Hubbard, Guku Shitsu tries; Hubbard con)

Te Puna 41 (Daniel Schuster 2, John Paerenga, John Brown, Quinton Gardiner, Aidan Kuka tries; Gardiner 4cons) Whakatane Marist 13 (Matt Te Pou try; Craig Edwards 2pen).

Whakarewarewa 26 (Teu Nafe 2, Hayden Baird, Wayne Hughson tries; Kelly Haimona 2pen) Te Puke 13 (Matt Wallis try; Brett McLeod 2pen con).  HT: 18-13.

 Opotiki 31 (Brian Davies 2, Matt Henwood, Te Rau Kurei, Rau Rangahua tries; Sam Howe 3con) Mount Maunganui 19 (Lance McDonald 2, Colin Bourke tries; Danny Morrison 2con) HT: 22-7.

Te Teko 18 (Tupu Burgess 2 tries; Ryan Hahipene 2pen con) Rotoiti 11 (John Versttynen try; Glen Martin 2pen)

Section Two: 
Arataki 22 Ngongotaha 7, Greerton Marist 70 Poroporo 10, Reporoa 27 Kawerau 17, Paroa 20 Papamoa 13, Rangiuru 20 Marist St Michaels 14, Taneatua 14 Judea 12.

Colts: Te Teko 18 Arataki 9, Te Puke Sports 19 Whakarewarewa 17, Greerton Marist 13 Rotoiti 10, Rangataua 41 Kahukura 26, Tauranga Sports 59 Waikite 0, Mount Maunganui 31 Ngongotaha 0,Te Puna won by default.

Under 19: 
Hauraki North 20 Te Puna 6, Taneatua 22 Opotiki 5.