Rangataua's Black Ferns Sevens star Kelly Brazier takes a kick against Ōpōtiki. Photo / Supplied
Rangataua's Black Ferns Sevens star Kelly Brazier takes a kick against Ōpōtiki. Photo / Supplied
RUGBY
Rangataua's women's team are scoring points for fun.
Already one of the stronger teams in recent seasons, they have bolstered their squad with some stuck-at-home Black Ferns Sevens stars and are looking near unstoppable so far this year.
At the weekend they hammered Ōpōtiki 87-7 for their third winfrom three games. But they're not just winning - they have now scored 224 points (that's almost 75 points a game) and conceded just 17.
However, hot on their heels are Rangiuru, who have also won three out of three. They cruised to a 50-7 win over Rotoiti at the weekend.
Next weekend, one of the front-runners will have to give up their perfect record as Rangiuru host table-toppers Rangataua in Te Puke in what should be quite the spectacle for their supporters.
Arataki take to the field against Te Puna. Photo / Supplied
Meanwhile, in the Western Bay of Plenty Men's Premier competition, Te Puke sit atop the table after maintaining their unbeaten run with a 32-10 over local rivals Rangiuru at the weekend.
Te Puke are only top via points difference as they are joined on 19 competition points by Tauranga Sports, who beat Mount Maunganui 45-30 on Saturday.
In the other games, defending champions Te Puna hammered Arataki 81-7 and Greerton beat Rangataua 29-14.
Tauranga City have moved into eighth place on the Northern Region Football League Division 1 ladder after a 2-1 win over Takapuna on Saturday.
The score was locked at 1-all at halftime, Tauranga taking the lead via an own goal in the 22nd minute before Takapuna's Nick Quinn pulled one back on the brink of halftime. In the end, Tauranga's Liam Malloy was the hero, snatching an 89th-minute winner for his side's second win of the season.
Tauranga City's Division 1 Reserve side participated in a goal-fest as they drew 4-all with Takapuna reserves.
In the WaiBop Premiership, Flying Mullet Pāpāmoa remain atop the table with six wins from six after thumping Waiariki 6-0 at the weekend.
The WaiBop Championship is being led by Taupō who beat Tauranga Old Blues 3-1.
In the WaiBop W-League, Tauranga City lead the way with four wins from five but are only ahead of the Waiariki women on points difference.
RUGBY LEAGUE
This year, Bay of Plenty Premier rugby league organisers have changed things up a bit.
Rather than having games held all over the region, each round all the games are held in one place, one after the other, creating a real atmosphere for all the players and their supporters.
After playing the first two rounds at Puarenga Park in Rotorua, teams travelled to Taupō at the weekend.
Bay of Plenty Premier champions in 2017, Pikiao, have started the year in fine form with three wins from three. On Saturday, they beat Reporoa 36-20 in a high-scoring thriller.
Premier Development: Waikite 5-36 Reporoa Kahukura 15-40 Whakarewarewa Ngongotahā Eagles 14-23 Eastern Pirates Ngongotahā Hawkes v Murupara - No result available Marist St Michael's - Bye
Eastern Bay of Plenty Division 1: Galatea/Waiohau 22-0 Ruatoki Poroporo 20-11 Edgecumbe Ōpōtiki 17-34 Te Teko Paroa 29-17 Whakatāne Marist
Western Bay of Plenty Premier: Arataki 7-81 Te Puna Tauranga Sports 45-30 Mount Maunganui Greerton 29-14 Rangataua Te Puke 32-10 Rangiuru
WaiBop Premiership: Ōtūmoetai 6-1 Tauranga City Tauranga City 8-3 Gisler Architects Premier Te Awamutu Flying Mullet Pāpāmoa 6-0 Waiariki Comag Matamata Swifts 1-3 ninetyblack Taupō Ōtūmoetai 1-2 Huntly Thistle
WaiBop Championship: Flying Mullet Pāpāmoa 1-2 Roundwood Tokoroa Hamilton Wanderers 0-3 Te Puke Utd Tauranga City 1-3 Whakatāne Town Ōtūmoetai 0-2 Cambridge Tauranga Old Blues 1-3 Taupō
WaiBop W-League: Whakatāne Town 8-1 Hamilton Wanderers Ōtūmoetai 2-3Waiariki Melville 2-6 Tauranga City Pāpāmoa - Bye
Bay 1: Ōtūmoetai Legends 5-0 Katikati Pāpāmoa 4-0 Kawerau Waiariki 2-7 Whakatāne Town Tauranga City Relics v Ōtūmoetai - No result available
Bay 2: Tauranga Old Blues v Tauranga City - No result available Waiariki v Pāpāmoa Old Boys - No result available Pāpāmoa DouBros 1-5 Taupō Lakers Plains Rangers 3-2 Ōtūmoetai Special Reserve
Women's Bay 1: Kawerau 7-1 Ōtūmoetai Te Puke Women's 0-1 Waiariki Plains Rangers 3-0 Tauranga City Blue Rovers Vintage - Bye
