An old-fashioned war of attrition between Rangiuru and Judea took place in the Baywide Division One match-up played at Centennial Park in Te Puke on Saturday.
Judea, who always rise to the occasion against Rangiuru, dominated the first half but the steady boot of the Rangiuru first five kept them in the game. The visitors were in front as the clock ticked down, however Rangiuru grabbed the lead with two minutes to go and held on to take out the encounter 22-20.
Judea scored four tries to Rangiuru's one , but the deadly kicking of the Rangiuru pivot enabled the home side to take out a narrow two-point win. The Judea tries went to Ona Ranapia, Abereham Watkins, Matewiki Watarawi and Brody Akurangi. Papamoa, who won promotion back to Division One from Western Bay rugby last season, also had to fight hard for the win points on offer. However, the Western Bay side will be more than happy with their 15-10 victory over Ruatoki, who are battle-hardened veterans of the second echelon.
Katikati had a long trip back from the Eastern Bay of Plenty after encountering the power of Poroporo, who are determined to earn a berth in the premier two competition in the second half of the season. While the Eastern Bay side posted a solid 54-14 victory, it wasn't all one-way traffic with Katikati crossing for a couple of tries.
Te Puna showed they could be a force in the Baywide Development competition when they walloped Whakarewarewa in the early game at Maramatanga Park. Te Puna stretched a 42-5 lead at half time, to a 83-12 victory against the Rotorua visitors. Jesse Church was in dynamic form at fullback and grabbed four tries. Another to impress was openside flanker Angus McDonald who dotted the ball down on three occasions.
Defending Baywide Development title holders Te Puke Sports laid down the gauntlet to the other contenders at Murray Salt Stadium. Squaring off against Greerton Marist, who were beaten semifinalists last year, Te Puke Sports were always in control, taking out a solid 47-12 victory.
Other Western Bay of Plenty Development sides to win were Tauranga Sports, who got past Arataki 43-24, while Mount Maunganui beat Rangataua 39-0.
The Western Bay Premier challenge prize of the Jordan Cup has been in three different clubhouse trophy cabinets since the start of the current season just two weeks ago. First up, 2015 winners Te Puke Sports lost the Tauranga silverware to Rangataua in round one, before Mount Maunganui claimed the Jordan Cup on Saturday in defeating Rangataua 36-17.
Results:
Baywide Division One: Rangiuru 22 Judea 20, Poroporo 54 Katikati 14, Papamoa 15 Ruatoki 10.
Baywide Development: Tauranga Sports 43 Arataki 24, Te Puna 83 Whakarewarewa 12, Mount Maunganui 39 Rangataua 0, Te Puke Sports 47 Greerton Marist 12.