It's a clash that stretches back into the dark mists of time, when tribes from Pirirakau and Papaka stood opposed, blood-thirsty and fierce.
Saturday's latest battle was no less absorbing, although the eight claws of Papaka (the crab) were flexing ominously, as if readying for the long war ahead.
All in all,
just another intriguing round of Baywide club rugby.
Rangataua - with eight local marae joining to form the figurative claws of the crab - disposed of the Pirirakau-infused Te Puna team 41-18, lifting the Maungatapu-based team back into the Baywide top four.
After consecutive losses to Waikite and Mount Maunganui, it was an important boost for a Rangataua side chasing an inaugural Baywide title, sitting on 30 points after 10 rounds.
There's still some distance to go to catch Tauranga Sports (40 points), who beat Te Puke 36-7 on Saturday, but the top teams only have another couple of weeks before their Steamers' players are removed from the competition.
Last year, fast-finishing Rangataua and Whakarewarewa (38 points) left it too late to press for a top-four position but they've learned that harsh lesson well. Both sides will be relatively unaffected by the Steamers pull-out.
With Whakarewarewa edging Mount Maunganui 20-17, the Rotorua side maintained a close distance to Tauranga Sports and opened up a wide gap to third.
Mount slipped back to fourth on 28 points, with Te Puke maintaining a tenuous hold on fifth three points back.
Te Puke's only points came from centre Gideon Uelese's try and Nick McCashin's conversion, though there was interest in a late cameo from Pakistan-born twins Hezon and Hezof Saeed on both sides of the scrum.
Tauranga Sports' Lewis Hancock grabbed his eighth try of the season. He's just two behind Rotoiti's Sikeli Vorenasu, who became the first player to 100 points for the season in scoring all his side's points in their 10-0 win over Waikite.
Whakatane Marist upset neighbours Opotiki 26-9 to move clear of last place, two points ahead of Te Puna.
Katikati handed Greerton Marist a 22-16 defeat in division one.
Te Teko ran away from Ruatoki 34-8, Rangiuru defeated Paroa 41-15, with Ngongotaha too good for Reporoa winning 50-12.
Defending Colts champions Te Puke Sports beat Opotiki 42-14, while Te Puna convincingly defeated Tauranga Sports 34-13 at Maramatanga Park.
It's a clash that stretches back into the dark mists of time, when tribes from Pirirakau and Papaka stood opposed, blood-thirsty and fierce.
Saturday's latest battle was no less absorbing, although the eight claws of Papaka (the crab) were flexing ominously, as if readying for the long war ahead.
All in all,
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