Rugby: Pressure pays off for persistent Judea

Judea reversed their two point loss to Rangiuru in the Division One qualifying competition when they won a battle royal at Maharaia Winiata Park on Saturday.

Rangiuru made the early running in the opening quarter, before Judea piled on the pressure which eventually led to Rich Mareroa scoring out wide. Simon Anderson nailed the conversion from the sideline.

With a few minutes remaining in the first half, Pini O'Neill crossed for the visitors with Simon Rolleston locking the scores up with his successful conversion.

The second spell turned into a battle of attrition, before Rolleston broke the deadlock with a penalty, entering the last 20 minutes of the match.

The second Judea try started at the 40 metre mark, with Henry Anderson finishing the attack to dot the ball down. The home side held a narrow two point advantage as the clock ticked down.

In the last play of the encounter, a Judea break saw Tanira Murray grab his side's third touchdown with Judea taking out a hard fought 19-10 victory.

There was further good news for the two other Western Bay Div One teams. Papamoa caused a big upset when they beat Te Teko 40-33, while Katikati got past Edgecumbe 19-8 at Moore Park in Katikati.

Arataki's trip to the Eastern Bay of Plenty turned into a one point loss after Paroa posted a 21-20 win at Lawson Park. Darren Tiumalu and Kere Barrett crossed for five pointers for the visitors, with Arataki ace kicker Reece McDonald adding two conversions and slotting two penalty goals.

The Arataki Development side also tasted a one point defeat going down 27-26 to their Paroa counterparts.

Eastern Districts had a close encounter with former Division One side Reporoa at the Paengaroa Domain. With the game up for grabs through much of the contest, the visitors eventually got home to a 24-15 win.

Defending Development One titleholders Te Puke Sports had to fight hard before kicking on to a solid win against Greerton Marist. At 19-19 at half time the match was up for grabs, before Te Puke Sports piled on the pressure to post a 52-31 victory.

Mount Maunganui Development had to work hard to win the battle of the bridge against Tauranga Sports 10-6 in the curtain-raiser at the Tauranga Domain. Te Puna were too strong for Whakatane Marist winning 44-21 with Rangataua sneaking home from Rotoiti 12-6.

In Western Bay of Plenty Senior Reserve action, Tauranga Sports, Te Puna and Greerton Marist posted wins in the opening round of the last competition of the season.