Judea are the big improver in the Seeka KI Western BOP competition and they showed they are genuine contenders for the championship title when they beat Mount Maunganui 33-29 in the curtain-raiser at Blake Park.
Sitting near the bottom of the standings in the early weeks of the local rugby competition, Judea were aiming for their fourth successive victory. In a game where the result was in doubt until the referee blew the whistle for full-time, Judea walked off Blake Park with a hard fought 33-29 victory to celebrate.
Arataki put last week's loss to Te Puna firmly behind them when they met Eastern Districts at the Paengaroa Domain. In a game where the visitors showed their determination for victory from the opening whistle, they cut loose to post the biggest score of round seven, posting a 67-5 win.
Defending Western Bay champions, Tauranga Sports, again had to dig deep to retain their unbeaten record and the Hardy Rosebowl in the early match-up at Maramatanga Park. While the visitors took home a 21-13 victory, Te Puna made them fight all the way to the last whistle of the match.
Katikati posted their second win of the season, beating Greerton Marist 19-10, Rangataua cemented their place in the top four with a 42-10 win over Matakana Island, with Rangiuru winning the local derby with Te Puke Sports.
While the Colts preview suggested that the Western Bay championship title would be decided on the weekend, the last round of the round robin competition played on Saturday leads into the Western Bay semi-finals and final to be played over the next two weekends.
Mount Maunganui finished as the top qualifier sitting on the sideline courtesy of the bye, while Te Puke Sports booked the second home semi-final, grabbing a hard fought 14-12 victory over Greerton Marist.
Te Puke also retained the Western Bay challenge prize of the Oliver Cup, being the first team to stage a successful defence this season. Tauranga Sports also qualified for the post-section play, defeating Te Puna 46-0.
Western BOP Senior results
Katikati 19 Greerton Marist 10, Judea 33 Mount Maunganui 29, Rangataua 42 Matakana Island 10, Tauranga Sports 21 Te Puna 13, Arataki 67 Eastern Districts 5, Rangiuru defeated Te Puke Sports.
Western BOP Colts results
Te Puke Sports 14 Greerton Marist 12, Tauranga Sports 46 Te Puna 0.
WBOPRFS Challenge Trophy Games
Baywide Premier (Jordan Cup) Tauranga Sports defeated Te Puna
WBOPRFS Colts (Oliver Cup) Te Puke Sports defeated Greerton Marist
Western BOP Competition (Hardy Rosebowl) Tauranga Sports defeated Te Puna.