Rugby League: Whalers' mighty win
Tauranga Whalers' party would have been going into the early hours of Sunday morning after they knocked off their Everest at Mitchell Park on Saturday with their first win over the Bay Sprint Couriers Otumoetai Eels.
Whalers triumphed 34-24 in a tense encounter. With the Eels leading 24-14 with 20 minutes to go, spectators may have thought that the end result would have been another home team win.
But with the Eels making plenty of errors and showing ill-discipline Whalers could smell a win. Once their belief came into play the Eels just couldn't hold out their cross-town neighbours coming home over the top of what has always been a strong defensive Eels side.
Winger Gary Ngarongo, Willie Rutene and halfback Floy Te Kani were instrumental, as was evergreen player/coach Paul Pou, who entered the fray in the last quarter to keep his team focused on winning.
With the Eels losing eight of their regular premiers over the past month overseas, work and injury the newcomers had the thankless task of trying to hold out a hungry Whalers side who has been slowly improving throughout the season, having also lost the bulk of last year's regional champion side.
To score the last 20 points of the game was testimony to how much the Whalers wanted the win and it could set them on the way to recording more upsets or maybe a sniff at the finals.
Once again Floy Te Kani was brilliant at half, orchestrating impressive attacks and bagging 18 points from two tries and five conversions. If Waicoa Bays coach Morgan Kutia is looking for a half for his national competition side then maybe Te Kani is his man.
Ngarongo created havoc when he got the ball out wide and Rutene once again tackled himself to a standstill.
For the Eels, half Josh Weeden was everywhere trying to stem the tide. With his frontrow all unavailable his only other option was to try to win it in the backs. But no go-forward up front it just didn't happen, although flying express Ryan Gordon just failed to get his fourth hat-trick of the season when he was tackled out of play after catching a high bomb in the corner.
In other matches, Taupo managed to scrape home against a determined Hukanui 18-16 in Hamilton, Pikiao also had to call on all their reserves to just head off Turangawaewae 42-40, Ngaruawahia stayed top of the pool by trouncing Hamilton Hornets 56-0 and, in a repeat of last month's Waikato final, Hamilton City Tigers held out a strong challenge from Taniwharau to win 20-18.
This weekend the Whalers should get win in Hamilton over the hapless Hornets, the Eels travel to Ngaruawahia to take on Turangawaewae, Pikiao will have a tough game, also at Ngaruawahia against the Panthers, Pacific travel to Hukanui and Taupo hosts Hamilton City Tigers.
Hockey: Thriller ends in draw
Mount Maunganui and Hamilton's Fraser Tech have played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in the men's premier Intercity hockey competition on Saturday.
Played in Hamilton, CMS Mount's Brad McKenzie opened the scoring in the second minute before Tech's Jimmy Lineham equalised late in the first half. In the second spell Shaun Matthews scored from a deft deflection to make it 2-1 to Mount before Luke Coxhead converted a penalty stroke awarded for a transgression in the Mount defensive circle.
Mount's strikers worked hard to score more goals but squandered some opportunities and on other occasions were denied by exceptional keeping from Tech's stand-in goalie Taz Nicolson.
Thames Valley remain top of the premier men's top-six standings after a 3-1 win over Rotorua Aces.
In the second tier, it was one-way traffic as Bayleys Otumoetai were over-run 6-1 by Kohekohe at the Tauranga Hockey Centre.
Mount Maunganui women got just their second win of the season, downing Franklin 2-1 with Katie Horan and Frances Davies finding the back of the net.
Reigning women's champions Bayleys Otumoetai stumbled against a youthful Fraser Tech, losing 4-1 after trailing 2-1 at halftime, with Tech serving notice they may be the side to knock Otumoetai off the winner's dais at the Intercity final on July 21.
Intercity scores:
Premier Men:
Mt Maunganui 2 (Brad McKenzie, Shaun Matthews) Fraser Tech 2 (Jimmy Lineham, Luke Coxhead). HT 1-1.
Thames Valley 3 Rotorua Aces 1, HT 2-1.
Waikato University 4 Pukekohe Indians 0, HT 1-0.
Kohekohe 6 (Ryan Anderson 3, Jesse Whitehead 2, Brad O'Callaghan) Otumoetai 0, HT 2-0.
Waiau Pa 2 Suburbs Old Boys 1.
Varsity Reserves 1 Te Awamutu 0.
Onewhero 4 Rotorua Indians 1.
Premier Women:
Fraser Tech 4 (Shiloh Gloyn 2, Shannon Cochrane, Natasha Cotton) Otumoetai 2 (Dani Maunder, Tracey Lewis), HT 2-1.
Hamilton Old Girls 3 Onewhero 0.
Mt Maunganui 2 (Katie Horan, Frances Davies) Franklin 1.
Rotorua Aces 11 Taupo 0.
Football: Taupo retain Shield
Taupo bounced back from their first loss of the season to retain the Challenge Shield and the lead in the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Federation League with a 5-1 win over Old Blues at Crown Park.
Taupo coach Paul Drake was happy with his team's performance, saying the difference between the previous week was that on Saturday they took their chances.
Alan Lamb opened the scoring from the penalty spot to give Taupo the early advantage, and then the veteran striker showed his class when he outstripped the Old Blues defence to make it 2-0. Old Blues, who were missing four first choice players, showed plenty of resolve and Franz Marko made it 2-1 at the break with a great finish.
Taupo had the bulk of possession in the second half and although the Taupo keeper was called on to make two good saves, goals to Jesse Smith, Dave Stewart and Dillon Caldwell secured the win for Taupo.
Old Blues coach Andy Legget was pleased with the way his team hung in. "It was always going to be a tough ask and being down to 10 men made it harder, but the boys can hold their heads high."
Claudelands Rovers signalled they have not given up their title aspirations with an emphatic 6-0 win over Melville United to confirm second spot in the league.
Ngongotaha, with two goals from Dane Willemsen, avenged their first up loss to Waikato Unicol with a 2-1 away win. The final score was close but the Villagers with a bit of luck could have won by more.
Rotorua United not only lost the game against Whakatane Town 2-1 but their fight to avoid relegation also became more difficult. For Steve Turner, who was playing his second game of the season, it was a sweet-sour day. After scoring to get United back on level terms he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Sean Henderson and Paul Taylor were the goal scorers for Whakatane in what was a scrappy game. United Coach Neil Rush was some what despondent after the game.
In division two Clube Alegria upset Cambridge to win 2-1, Katikati defeated bottom of the table Matamata 5-0, leaders Tauranga City defeated Tokoroa 2-0 while Rotorua United had a 2-0 win over Te Awamutu.
Federation 1 scores: Whakatane Town 2 Rotorua United 1; Taupo 5 Old Blues 1; Melville United 0 Claudelands Rovers 6; Waikato Unicol 1 Ngongotaha 2.
Points: Taupo 33, Claudelands 30, Melville 21, AFC Fury 18, Otumoetai 16, Waikato Unicol 15, Whakatane 14, Tauranga Boys College 13, Ngongotaha 12, Old Blues 12, Rotorua United 8, Otorohanga 5.
Federation 2: Rotorua United 2 Te Awamutu 0; Tokoroa 0 Tauranga City 2; Cambridge 1 HRFC Clube Alegria 2; Katikati 5 Matamata Swifts 0, West Hamilton bye.
Points: Tauranga City 30, HRFC Clube Alegria 24, Cambridge 24, Katikati 21, Te Awamutu 12, Tokoroa AFC 12, Rotorua United 10, West Hamilton 8, Matamata 4.
Volleyball: Mauao Reds on top
Two three-set wins have carried Mauao Red's men's team to top spot in the Midlands volleyball league after the final round of games before the competition moves up SH2 to Auckland and the Northern region league.
Mauao Red downed Tauranga men 25-14 25-23 25-14 but were made to work harder in their second clash of the day at Tauranga's TECT Arena before squeezing past Mauao Black 30-28 25-20 25-13. Tauranga finished second in the standings, pipping Hamilton Blue after downing Rotovegas 3-0.
Tauranga completed a cleansweep of the women's competition, with Tauranga A having easy wins over Hamilton A and Tauranga B. Tauranga C grabbed second spot with straight sets wins over Hamilton B and Rotovegas.
Midlands Volleyball League (TECT Arena, Tauranga):
Men:
Hamilton Blue b Hamilton Silver 3-0 (26-24, 25-17, 29-27); Mauao Red b Tauranga 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-14); Mauao Black b Hamilton Silver 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-20); Hamilton Blue b Rotovegas 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 23-25, 26-24); Mauao Red b Mauao Black 3-0 (30-28, 25-20, 25-13); Tauranga b Rotovegas 3-0 (25-14, 26-24, 25-23).
Final competition points: Mauao Red 30, Tauranga 23, Hamilton Blue 22, Mauao Black 16, Rotovegas 14, Hamilton Silver 14
Women:
Tauranga B b Rotovegas 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-23); Tauranga C b Hamilton B 3-0 (25-9, 25-13, 25-11); Tauranga A b Hamilton B 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 25-14); Tauranga C b Rotovegas 3-0 (25-9, 25-22, 25-13); Tauranga A b Tauranga B 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-15); Hawkes Bay b NZ U-17 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-8, 15-13); Tauranga C b NZ U-17 3-0 (25-22, 25-10, 25-14); Hawkes Bay b Rotovegas 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-15); Hawkes Bay b Hamilton B 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-6); NZ U-17 b Tauranga B 3-1.
Played on June 13: Hamilton A b Hamilton B 3-0 (25-20, 25-8, 25-17).
Final competition points: Tauranga A 30, Tauranga C 24, Tauranga B 22, Hamitlon A 20, Rotovegas 14, Hamilton B 12.
Rugby: Katikati champions
Katikati have taken out the Seeka KI Western Bay of Plenty club rugby championship against Tauranga Sports, needing a late try to clinch a 24-19 victory at Tauranga Domain.
Tauranga Sports won home ground advantage by topping the qualifying competition and roared into the final with the first try of the match after just two minutes, with a penalty kicked by Dan Gules giving them an early 8-0 lead.
Katikati kicker Gene Darvill slotted a penalty as Tauranga took an 8-3 lead into the break, with the sides trading penalties before a drop goal extended Tauranga's small buffer.
With 10 minutes remaining in the battle for the Combined Cup, Nisisi Mafi went over for Katkati, with debate over whether he'd scored sorted when the referee went to the touch judge for confirmation.
There will be a repeat clash this weekend but at a different venue as Katikati host Tauranga in the first round of the Merv Scholes trophy at Moore Park.
Rangiuru club loyalty was on display in spades when the Te Puke side travelled to play Matakana Island, with former All Black Tanerau Latimer taking advantage of the Super 15 break to turn out for his club's No2 team.
Strengthened also by former Bay of Plenty flanker Andrew Leota, Rangiuru proved to strong for the islanders, winning 36-15 with Latimer in hot demand for autographs.
Papamoa threw down the gauntlet to the other Western Bay second round contenders, posting 30 unanswered points against Eastern Districts at the Paengaroa Domain.
Seeka KI Western Bay championship final: Katikati 24 Tauranga Sports 19
Seeka KI Western Bay round two scores: Rangiuru 36 Matakana Island 15, Papamoa 30 Eastern Districts 0, Te Puna 12 Judea 3, Greerton Marist 40 Rangataua 24.
Chiefs trio re-sign
Bay of Plenty's Josh Hohneck and two others have committed to the Chiefs for another two seasons.
Chiefs midfield back Jackson Willison and wider training group members Hohneck and halfback Augustine Pulu have re-signed with the Super 15 franchise until the end of 2014.
Willison has been part of the Chiefs since 2009 and is a New Zealand Maori rep and former New Zealand under-20 IRB junior world champion.
Pulu and Hohneck are promising young players who have made the most of the few opportunities they have been given this year.
"We were keen to have these players as part of our squad as they have shown they understand what the Chiefs are all about. They are hard working, good buggers who have proved they have strong work ethic, which is important to us," Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said.
Kayaking: Penalties cost Kiwis
Penalty seconds cost Tauranga slalom kayakers Luuka Jones and Mike Dawson at the latest round of the World Cup series in Spain.
The two Olympic bound paddlers had good qualifying times but suffered penalties to put them well out of contention at La Seu d'Urgell, in the third and final World Cup event before the Olympics.
Jones had a whopping 50 penalty seconds added to her first run after an issue at the gate, then on her second run she paddled the wrong course, eventually finishing 53rd of 55 starters in the women's K1 event and missing the semifinals.
Dawson qualified for the semifinals with a good run in his heat but he, too, had time added on - six seconds in his case - which cancelled out another good time in his semifinal and saw him drop to 32nd overall.
Football: Coast cruising
Hibiscus Coasts's strangehold on football's Northern League second division has continued, although it's the race for the second spot and promotion that is generating most heat.
Unfortunately it won't involve Tauranga City United, with the club dropping to sixth in the league following the weekend's 2-0 away defeat to 10th-placed Onehunga Mangere.
With just seven games left in the league Tauranga are now 19 points off the pace being set by Hibiscus Coast and eight points out of second spot occupied by North Shore, who have a game in hand after their weekend clash with 4th-placed Mangere United was postponed because of the Chatham Cup.
Warkworth leapfrogged Tauranga into fifth spot, holding on to beat Waikuku 3-2 after leading 3-1 at the break. Tauranga will play at home on Sunday against Western Springs, who are tied with North Shore but third on goal difference.
Second division:
Onehunga Mangere 2 (Marc Lindsay, Navid Armnian) Tauranga City 0. HT: 2-0.
Fencibles 1 (Martin Pike) Matamata Swifts 0. HT: 0-0.
Warkworth 3 (Sean Steffener, Rob Carty, Mike O'Flaherty) Waiuku 2 (Cody Ralph, Don Winter). HT: 2-1.
Hibiscus Coast 3 (Trent Mayes 2, Dan Bungard) Western Springs 1 (own goal). HT: 3-1.
Papakura City v Manukau City, Mangere United v North Shore United postponed.