Rugby: Tight race as playoffs approach

Greerton Marist winger Leroy van Dam is tackled against Tauranga Sports on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner

A hard fought Baywide Premier battle at Emery Park on the shores of Lake Rotoiti on Saturday saw Whakarewarewa defeat archrivals Rotoiti.

Whaka centre Te Rangi Fraser scored his 16th try of the season and Doug Edwards celebrated his 100th game with his team's second try. Three late penalty goals from Ryubyn Vaipo saw Whakarewarewa home 27-20 and return the Tai Mitchell Shield to Puarenga Park.

Mount Maunganui surged into third place, posting 68 unanswered points against Paroa. Tauranga Sports remain top of the standings, after running in eight tries on the way to beating Greerton Marist 49-14 at the Tauranga Domain. Tauranga left wing Lewis Hancock picked up his side's player of the day award.

A minor upset took place at Maramatanga Park where Whakatane Marist defeated Te Puna 20-16. Second placed Te Puke Sports ran over fellow Western Bay side Rangataua 40-0, while Opotiki had a 31-6 win over bottom of the table Waikite.

Meanwhile, two upset results mean just three points separate six teams with three rounds remaining before the Division one playoffs.

Katikati upset Kahukura at Moore Park in a hard fought 13-3 victory and move into third place. Arataki were upset 32-18 by Poroporo in Whakatane to slip to sixth place but have lowly placed Ngongotaha and Reporoa to play. Rangiuru stay top after an easy 48-7 win over Reporoa, while Judea are still in playoffs contention after 25-0 win over Ngongotaha.

Tauranga Sports and Te Puke Sports retained their unbeaten Baywide Development records. Tauranga Sports beat previously unbeaten Greerton Marist 58-0, while Te Puke Sports ran over Rangataua 52-0. Mount Maunganui beat Paroa 55-5 at Blake Park to go third. While the Western Bay Colts competition has concluded, the Greerton Marist team has been given permission to play out the season against older opposition. On Saturday, they went down 44-7 to their Greerton Reserve.