Rugby: Mount Maunganui show class in thriller

CLASS ACT: Former Auckland rep Liam Steele slices through to score a key try in the win over Rangataua on Saturday. PHOTO: ANDREW WARNER

Tauranga Sports were expected to win well against Rotoiti at Tauranga Domain in Saturday's opening match in the Premier 1 championship round.

But no one told Rotoiti that was the script.

The team based beside Lake Rotoiti in Rotorua took apart the perennial champions 30-8 to set the opening marker for this year's competition.

Tauranga led 8-5 at halftime in perfect conditions but were kept scoreless in the second half as Rotoiti added 25 points to continue their good run of form. Momentum is certainly on their side with three consecutive wins over eight days leading into the match.

Co-coach Willie Royal said the second-half turnaround was dramatic with the forwards exerting pressure up front and their nippy backs running into holes at will.

Next week Mount Maunganui Sports travel to Emery Park to face Rotoiti in front of an expected huge home crowd. It should be a classic.

Like Rotoiti, the Mounties were underwhelming in the opening round with new combinations settling in under the astute coaching of Rodney Voullaire.

But they showed what they were capable of on Saturday when they won a magnificent, open game against Rangataua Sports 33-28 at Blake Park in a repeat of last year's grand final.

The opening 17 minutes belonged to the defending champs, but for all their field position and dominance, Rangataua had nothing to show on the scoreboard.

Mount struck with their first serious attack with right winger Uliti Uilou crossing for the first of his four tries in an unforgettable afternoon for the bright young prospect who was still at Katikati College this time last year.

Mount Prop Josh Davey scored a few minutes later before a careless pass was intercepted by Uilou who showed off his pace to score.

Trailing 19-0, Rangataua scored under the posts after Steamers centre Lalakai Foketi made a fine break but that man Uilou was in again before the break to give the Mount a handy 26-7 lead at the break.

The second half began with a try from their goal line by Rangataua that the British and Irish Lions could only dream of pulling off. Akira Mako, Paranihi Lovett and Lalakai combined cleverly down the left touchline before Lovett scored the spectacular try in the corner.

Former Auckland reps Liam Steele and Teddy Stanaway then combined well in the Mount midfield before Steele sliced through to score and give his team a comfortable 33-14 lead.

But Rangataua took control of the final quarter with captain Matt Clutterbuck demanding more direct play. It paid off as they scored two tries in as many minutes and may well have won the game but for Uilou intercepting another errant pass for his fourth try.

There was time for Rangataua to snatch a late win, but two crooked lineout throws near the Mount line ended those hopes which head coach John O'Loan later called "a coach killer".

In other games, Te Puke Sports beat Te Puna 32-26 and Greerton Marist finished ahead of Whakarewarewa 26-20.

Baywide Premier 1

Te Puke Sports 32 v Te Puna 26
Rotoiti 30 v Tauranga Sports 8
Greerton Marist 26 v Whakarewarewa 20
Mount Maunganui 38 v Rangataua 33

Baywide Development

Te Puna 37 v Te Puke Sports 26
Tauranga Sports 36 v Rotoiti 15
Greerton Marist 40 v Whakarewarewa 22
Mount Maunganui 61 v Rangataua 5

Baywide Division 1

Kahukura 25 v Waimana 10
Ngongotaha 97 v Ruatoki 5
Rangiuru 45 v Katikati 20
Waikite 41 v Opotiki 24
Papamoa 33 v Judea 19
Marist St Michael's won by default from Te Teko