Te Puna bounce back to take down big boys

Te Puna got the recipe right in the wet on Saturday to upset former pacesetters Whakarewarewa in the Bartercard Baywide premier club rugby competition at Maramatanga Park.
The Western Bay team belied their position at the bottom of the points standings to serve it up to Whaka, who are second.
An early conversion to Te Puna kicker Darrell Houia and a penalty try upped the confidence levels of the home side. Two further first half tries to Ted Taufete and Whanarau Peita saw Te Puna post 24 unanswered points in the first spell.
Whaka got points on the board early into the second half, when David Marinkovich crashed over for a try, with Kelly Haimoana slotting the conversion. A Haimona penalty and a second try to Elijah Wilson-Hira got Whaka back into the game.
While sustained Te Puna pressure in the last quarter went unrewarded, the home fans were relieved to hear the fulltime whistle with their side ahead 24-15.
The standout player for Te Puna was the first-five Tyrone Heke, who continually pushed Whaka backwards with his kicks.
Defending Baywide champions Tauranga Sports proved too strong for Whakatane Marist at Wharepai Domain, running in six tries in a 46-16 victory.
Portuguese fullback Nuno Penha E Costa added to his impressive try-scoring tally for the season, with Chris Noakes, Bruce Olsen, Aifai Esera, Lewis Hancock and Murphy Taele also scoring.
Walter Aramoana crossed for Marist, with Craig Edwards slotting three penalties and a conversion. Tauranga Sports' bonus point win puts then seven points clear of Whaka on the table.
There was also no joy for the two other Rotorua sides that travelled to the Western Bay. Two tries to Zane Butler helped Mount Maunganui, who shut out Waikite 44-3 at Blake Park.
Te Puke Sports cemented fifth on the standings when they defeated Rotoiti 34-3. The visitors took advantage of the a strong wind in the first half and led 3-0 courtesy of a Joe Fenton penalty until Te Puke crashed over for a try late in the first half.
The home side ran in four further touchdowns to take out the encounter 24-3, with Nick McCashin grabbing two tries.
Rangataua made it a shut-out of visiting teams to the Western Bay, beating Opotiki at Te Ariki Park 22-13.
Division one leader Greerton Marist came up against Te Teko, who are determined to return to the Premier ranks, with the Eastern Bay side posting a 35-5 victory.
In other division one games, Marist St Michaels continued to use their get-out-of-jail card beating Ruatoki 11-9, Ngongotaha just got home from Paroa 15-12 and Kahukura for their division one campaign back on track when they defeated Reporoa 32-11.