Baywide club rugby: Thrilling games

Two draws and a one-point win highlighted an intense penultimate round of the Bartercard Baywide premier club rugby competition on Saturday.
While Whakarewarewa were held to a 29-all draw by archrivals Rotoiti at Puarenga Park, the two points the home team took ensured that Whaka has booked the final place in the Baywide semifinals to be played in two weeks.
Whakarewarewa held an 18-12 lead at halftime but Rotoiti stormed back, with Whaka's ace goalkicker Kelly Haimona having to slot two late penalty goals to see his side escape from defeat.
Rotoiti outscored Whaka four tries to three, with Zigfreid Fiishoi and Whakataki Cunningham both crossing twice, while Doug Edwards, Chris Miller and Hayden Baird scored for the home side.
The second drawn game was at Rugby Park in Whakatane, with the 32-all draw between Whakatane Marist and Mount Maunganui reflecting an outstanding effort from the home side that belied their status at the bottom of the standings.
Whakatane served it up to one of the premier front-runners from the start and it was a relieved Mount side that left Eastern Bay.
While the final Tauranga Sports score of 23-12 over Opotiki suggested a comfortable home victory, the reality was that the defending champions were involved in a dogfight to the end. Opotiki led 6-0 at the break courtesy of two penalties to Sam Howe before Portuguese fullback Nuno Penha E Costa, Jack Sutton and Lewis Hancock grabbed tries for Tauranga Sports.
Te Puke Sports scraped home against Te Puna 13-12 after trailing by four points at the break. Te Puna ran in two tries to Turoia Kuka and former Steamers half back Chad Tuoro, with Ben Ward grabbing a touchdown for Te Puke, who are second in the competition and a home semi in sight.
While Rangataua defeated Waikite 32-17 and picked up a bonus point, Whaka's draw with Rotoiti ensured that Rangataua were eliminated from the race for the semifinals. A feature of the game was three tries to flying Rangataua winger Siaosi Iongi and a double to Matt Clutterbuck, with Jake Marsters also crossing twice for the visitors.
Division one leaders Te Teko were made to battle all the way in the Eastern Bay local derby before defeating Paroa 27-20. Rangiuru have left their charge up the ladder too late to make the semifinals but again impressed when they despatched Marist St Michaels 29-3.
Second placed Greerton Marist re-inked their credentials, running away from Reporoa 52-3, while Katikati also posted a big win, defeating Ruatoki 53-12.
The colts championship semifinalists were found with Te Puke Sports, Greerton Marist, Tauranga Sports and Te Puna all getting through in the top tier.