Rugby: Leaders Te Puna knocked over at Rangataua

TRY TIME: Jesse Parete celebrates after scoring the final try for Rangataua against Te Puna. PHOTO: ANDREW WARNER

Rangataua Sports proved they are more than capable of defending their Baywide title with a comprehensive 33-19 victory over previous leaders Te Puna at Te Ariki Park on Saturday.

Rangataua's first-half performance was about as complete a 40-minute performance you could hope for with fast ruck ball and clever switches of play from their sharp backline proving too much for the Te Puna defence.

Scottish winger Frank Robson, centre Timo Gardiner and lock Jesse Parete finished off excellent team tries with Steamers fullback Chase Tiatia returning to his best form with ball in hand as Rangataua led 19-5 at the break.

Te Puna had much more say in how the second half played out, dominating territory and laying siege to the Rangataua line without getting the points they deserved.

When Terrence Hepetema finally did cross to close the score to 19-12 it was game on to the delight of the big crowd packed around Te Ariki Park.

But Rangataua, led by outstanding loosies Julian McLeod, captain Matt Clutterbuck and Chiefs openside Mitch Karpik, tied up the loose ball and turned over possession to set up winning tries to Robson and Parete.

Despite the win Clutterbuck was not getting carried away as they have not officially clinched a top-eight spot yet - but are odds-on to do so.

He was delighted in seeing his team put in such an assured performance over the Premier leaders.

"I am very satisfied. We were desperate today as we are not guaranteed top eight but this win puts us a step in the right direction. We don't want to rely on results of other teams," Clutterbuck said.

"Our skills were really good. We had been throwing a few wayward passes and our rucks had been a real weakness of ours so we wanted to get there in numbers today and win them because they have some good scavengers."

Clutterbuck enjoyed having Karpik doing the openside pilfering and tackling.

"I could have a bit of a break on the side and he can go for it. It's really enjoyable as he takes a lot of the workload off me and I can lead the boys a better."

Te Puna coach Aidan Kuka was disappointed with the first-half performance.

"We didn't react fast enough to a couple of short side plays that they pulled on us and they cashed in.

"There is never ever an easy game here. You have to come with your A-game or you are going to get rolled and that's exactly what happened to us today. We weren't quite there with our accuracy at times."

Despite the loss Kuka was still upbeat about the season so far and looking forward to the Championship top eight.

"This game is not going to wreck us and knowing we have five boys unavailable who are going to Samoa [with Bay Academy] and a couple of boys coming back from injury soon.

"We have done some pretty good stuff this year."

In other games Mount Maunganui Sports defeated Paroa 39-24, Te Puke Sports were too good for Rotoiti, winning 40- 22, and Greerton Marist continued their recent good form with a 72-10 win away at Arataki. Tauranga Sports as expected thrashed Whakatane Marist 80-12 and Whakarewarewa beat Poroporo 42-21.

Results:
Baywide Premier:
Mount Maunganui Sports 39 Paroa 24
Te Puke Sports 40 Rotoiti 22
Whakarewarewa 42 Poroporo 21
Tauranga Sports 80 Whakatane Marist 12
Rangataua 33 Te Puna 19
Greerton Marist 72 Arataki 10

Baywide Development:
Mount Maunganui 41 Paroa 24
Te Puke Sports 17 Rotoiti 0
Poroporo 15 Whakarewarewa 15
Te Puna 17 Rangataua 10
Tauranga Sports 77 Whakatane Marist 10
Greerton Marist 46 Arataki 5

Baywide Division 1:
Waimana 20 Judea 19
Opotiki 20 Papamoa 0
Te Teko 20 Kahukura 15
Marist St Michael's 44 Ruatoki 12
Ngongotaha 107 Katikati 7
Waikite 52 Rangiuru 12

Baywide Women:
Rangiuru 20 Te Whanau Apanui 7