Rugby: Battling Arataki crowned champions

Arataki players and supporters celebrate after beating Rangiuru in the Division One final on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

Arataki are the Bayfair Baywide Division One champions after beating Rangiuru 14-9 at Centennial Park in Te Puke on Saturday.

Arataki skipper Marty Bourke and Rangiuru sharp-shooter Ngatai Kingi kicked a penalty each in the opening 15 minutes, as the game settled down to a clash befitting a Baywide title decider.

Right on half time, Bourke finished off an Arataki attack when he dotted the ball down for the only try of the game and a handy 11-6 halftime lead.

The second spell turned into battle of attrition, with both sides going on attack and defending like lions, as play moved up and down the field with neither team able to cross the try line. A penalty apiece gave Arataki a 14-9 advantage they held under intense pressure from the home side.

The Arataki victory added the Baywide silverware to their Western Bay title won earlier in the season. The excellent spirit shown throughout the game, was highlighted by a rousing haka apiece from both teams, prior to presentation of the Baywide Div One trophy.

Arataki life member, Syd Longley, says the Arataki victory means so much for the club and local community after a hard-fought season. He praised the leadership of player-coach Bourke, co-coach Quinton Gould and captain Billy Russell.

Rangiuru team manager Mark Basham was gracious in defeat and said that he was proud of how Rangiuru had performed on the day.

He praised the outstanding tackle by Salesi Leota when an Arataki loose forward burst clear late in the game.

"During the season we overcame the disappointment of dropping out of the premier grade last year and to make the division one title decider was a solid achievement."

The Baywide Development final at Murray Salt Stadium, between Te Puke Sports and Tauranga Sports, was an absolute thriller that was up for grabs until the final whistle.

Te Puke scored a try in the closing minutes to regain the lead 16-13. A Tauranga penalty attempt from the sideline right on full time hit the posts which saw Te Puke Sports take the title.

Papamoa will be the only Western Bay representatives in the Baywide Division Two and Senior Reserve finals next weekend, after Saturday's semifinal results. Papamoa got past Eastern Pirates 22-10 and will meet Eastern Bay side Waimana in the Division Two final. Tauranga Sports lost 25-18 to Ngongotaha in their Senior Reserve semifinal.

Arataki 14 (M Bourke try; M Bourke 3 pen) Rangiuru 9 (N Kingi 3 pen) HT 11-6