Opotiki caused the weekend's boilover in the Bartercard Baywide club rugby premiership, sending Whakarewarewa tumbling to a second successive defeat on Saturday.
Notoriously difficult at home, the Eastern Bay side had a 19-0 lead by halftime.
Opotiki kicked on to win 24-10, picking up a bonus point courtesy of the tries by
Sam Gaskill, James Thompson, Rau Rangihua and Kevin Waterson, with Sam Howe converting two. Aliki Kisina dotted down for the visitors, Kelly Haimona adding a penalty and a conversion.
Reigning Baywide champions Tauranga Sports have opened an 11-point buffer at the top of the competition courtesy of Whaka's loss and a 21-11 win over Rangataua at Tauranga Domain.
Rory McConnochie, Rangataua's fullback, scored all his side's points with an early try and two penalties. Rangataua led 8-6 at halftime before Tauranga Sports' Byron McGuigan opened the second-half scoring after a sweeping attack. Portuguese fullback Nuno Penha E Costa also dotted down.
While Rotoiti held Mount Maunganui to a 13-10 lead at the break, the visitors to Emery Park cut loose in the second spell to post a convincing 40-10 win.
Bay of Plenty Steamers captain Colin Bourke, making a rare appearance for the Mount, scored a try, with Dan Waenga, Andrew Stead, Mata McGrath and Lance MacDonald also crossing.
The sole Rotoiti try was awarded to Peter White, with Sikeli Vorenasu adding to his season tally with a penalty and a conversion. Mount Maunganui have now joined Whaka in second place, with Rotoiti slipping to eighth.
Te Puke Sports won a tussle with Whakatane Marist in the Eastern Bay. Leading 10-3 at the break, Te Puke went on to a three tries-to-one 22-10 win.
Waikite beat Te Puna 20-13 at home, with the Western Bay side picking up their seventh bonus point of the season.
While Te Teko and Ngongotaha lead in division one, Saturday's wins came in contrasting circumstances. Te Teko dispatched Rangiuru 59-19, while Ngongotaha trailed Katikati 3-0 for most of the way at Moore Park before bagging a try in the dying minutes for a dramatic 7-3 win.
