Rugby: Te Puke off to a flying start

Te Puke Sport's Dan Hollinshead pushes over the tryline to score the match-winner against Rangataua.Photo/Andrew Warner

Te Puke Sports know all about peaking at the business end of the club season but are off to a flying start to the Bayfair Baywide premier championship.

They are unbeaten after Saturday's 25-18 win over Rangataua at Te Ariki Field, and with a new-look team from last season are a different proposition from past Te Puke teams for opposition coaches to prepare for.

Steamers winger Elliot Hagen got the ball rolling for Te Puke with an early intercept try but Rangataua replied with an excellent break-out try finished off by captain Matt Clutterbuck.

Despite having first use of the wind, Rangataua preferred to keep the ball in hand.

And that proved the right decision when barnstorming former Tongan sevens rep Siaosi Iongi cut the Te Puke defence to bits to score a superb individual effort.

Alex Jessop converted to make the halftime score 15-8 to Rangataua, despite being on the wrong side of the penalty count awarded by referee Lester Gray.

With the wind freshening and the penalties continuing to flow their way, last year's Tauranga Boys' First XV pivot Dan Hollinshead became a key player with his boot for Te Puke. He closed the gap to 15-11 with a penalty, won after his break and pass to Hagen turned desperate defence into a try chance at the other end.

Rangataua just missed out in the right hand corner before Te Puke fullback Sipi Moimoi crashed over.

Hollinshead converted for the lead but a well-struck penalty from Daiyu Ishimori made it 18-18 with 20 minutes to play.

Sadly for the home team that was the end of their points scoring. Te Puke scored the match-winner with a try to Hollinshead after a series of concerted rucks on the Rangataua line.

The home side threw everything into the final stages, but just like the first round loss to Tauranga Sports they had to settle for a bonus point loss.

Te Puke are playing in a special commemorative jersey this season to mark six separate founding clubs. It is 50 years since United Pirates began and 104 years since United Football Club.

Over Easter weekend they are holding a reunion dinner and host Tauranga Sports on Saturday in a much-anticipated clash, with the Jordan Cup - won off Rangataua - up for grabs.

Te Puke Sports 25 (Elliot Hagen, Sipa Moimoi, Dan Hollinshead tries; Hollinshead 2 cons, 2 pens) Rangataua 18 (Matt Clutterbuck, Siaosi Iongi tries; Daiyu Ishimori con, pen; Alex Jessop pen). HT: 15-8 Rangataua.