League: Razorbacks provide Rotorua slice of spoils

Freedom Walker, Otumoetai Eels player, on the charge against the Reporoa Razorbacks during the Bay of Plenty/Coastline reserve grade final in Rotorua. Photo / Ben Fraser

The Reporoa Razorbacks have won back-to-back reserve-grade titles in the Bay of Plenty Coastline rugby league competition.

The Razorbacks were too good for the Otumoetai Eels reserve team on Saturday, winning 34-22 at Puketawhero Park in Rotorua.

Reporoa were the only team from the Rotorua region in any men's division - league or union - to claim a Baywide title this season.

Coach Doug Unuwai, who steered the Pikiao premier side to a grand-final win last season, was happy with his team's effort on Saturday: "They just carried on from last year ... awesome."

Unuwai said a lot of players had to fit in their football around farm work in Reporoa, but had still managed to come out on top at the end of the season.

"It is a hard bunch to get used to, but once you get to know their status and work situations, everything comes right."

He said it was special to go from third place at the end of the regular season to winning the competition.

Reporoa, headed by captain Phil Rameka and Dennis Newton-Phillips, raced out to a good lead at halftime in the final. They were up 28-8 at the break and, despite a short comeback from the Eels, Reporoa never looked in doubt.

Meanwhile, in the Division One final, the Forestland Falcons (Tokoroa) knocked over the Putauaki Stags (Kawerau) 54-4 on Saturday. Falcons' player Leon Bartie picked up the MVP award after the one-sided final.

Reporoa 34 (Hohepa Te Kauru, Werohia Rika, Warwick Hepi, Dennis Newton-Phillips, Wally Barnes, Anthony Kiff tries; Shaun Phillips 5 con) Otumoetai 22 (Buddy Wirori 2, Keanu Smith, Ryan Wilson, Tane Taitoko tries; Xavier Kaweroa con).

-Otumoetai Eels were also represented in the age-group finals on Sunday, their under-15 side losing 38-4 to Pacific from Tokoroa.