Arataki and Judea rugby followers will long remember the three-match series played between the two Western Bay clubs this month.
Entering Saturday's match-up at Maharaia Winiata Park in Judea, the score was one match each, with Judea winning the Merv Scholes Trophy in the first game and Arataki the SeekaKI Western BOP Championship a week later.
The final game in the July trilogy, saw a place in next weekend's BOPRU Baywide Division Two final at stake, with an automatic place in next season's Division One competition for the winner.
The 6-6 scoreline at halftime reflected an arm wrestle in the first spell with the team's kickers trading two penalty goals apiece. Eight minutes into the second half, Judea hit the lead through another penalty, from where the home side then went on the offensive to play most of the second spell in the Arataki half. The Judea rolling mauls kept the Arataki side on the back foot. However, with about five minutes remaining in the match, Arataki broke through the home side's defence to run 70 metres to score a try.
While Judea made a concerted attempt to come back, the visitors held on to claim a hard-fought 11-9 victory. Such has been the closeness of the three games, that while Arataki won the last two, they both scored 47 points each in their three match-ups.
Arataki will now progress to meet Kawerau in next weekend's Baywide grand final after the Eastern Bay side dispatched Reporoa 29-15.
In the Baywide Senior Reserve playoffs, archrivals Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Sports met at Blake Park.
The Mount made the early running to lead 11-0, but Tauranga Sports scored three tries in the second spell to post a 20-11 win. Tauranga Sports will meet the Opotiki second XV in next weekend's Baywide title decider.
The Colts grand final will be an all-Western Bay affair between Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Sports. On Saturday, Mount Maunganui repelled a spirited challenge from Rotorua visitors Marist St Michaels to grab a 34-27 victory, with Tauranga Sports defeating Te Puke Sports 23-10 in the early game at the Tauranga Domain.
