JUST IN TIME: Poroporo player Tipene Smith clears the ball as Rangiuru player Eru Pouwhare bears down during the Division One semifinal at Centennial Park in Te Puke. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 190715BF11
All three Bayfair Baywide finals to be played out next weekend will be held in Te Puke after the Baywide semifinals were completed on Saturday.
Rangiuru won an absolute nail-biter 12-11 in the Division One semifinal against Eastern Bay's Poroporo at Centennial Park.
Poroporo, with a strong Fijian contingent, made
the early running and led 11-6 at the half-time break courtesy of a try and two penalty goals. Rangiuru's sharp shooter Ngatai Kingi kept the home side in touch with two penalties.
With the clock ticking down Rangiuru trailed by two points, before Kingi kicked his fourth penalty goal of the match with just a minute remaining. Rangiuru's victory was built upon an outstanding performance from the forwards and club pride. Kingi was his team's player of the day, for his unwavering calmness under pressure to kick the winning goals.
Arataki came from fourth place in the qualifying competition to upset Te Teko 18-15 at Dunderdale Park in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Arataki will make the trip to Centennial Park in Te Puke next weekend to square off with Rangiuru for the Baywide Division One trophy and promotion to the premier division next year.
