"It was a very tough game even though we were at home," said head coach Dave McLean. "So we gave them a lot of respect and they pulled all guns out."
"We knew Arataki would come with a good game - they only lost two points to Whaka last weekend.
"And the match was difficult in these conditions, so I'm very happy we managed to get over the line for the bonus points."
Rotoiti started the stronger of the two teams, managing to keep their handling errors to a minimum despite the wet conditions.
And they took the lead after 10 minutes when captain Joseph Royal slid over in the right hand corner on the back of good work from the forwards set the ball up to be spread wide.
Logan Henry converted the kick, however Arataki came back into the game putting Rotoiti's defence under pressure and forcing errors as the weather conditions started to take their toll.
The away side missed a penalty kick but shortly after Warrick Lynn crashed over with a break away try taking the scoreline to 7-5 after 30 minutes but failed to make the conversion.
And five minutes later Arataki took the lead through a Marty Bourke penalty conversion after scrappy defence from Rotoiti brought the penalty, taking the home side 8-7 down in the break.
Arataki were quicker out of the starting blocks in the second half extending their lead to 11-7 - two minutes after the restart thanks to another Bourke penalty conversion.
But lock Baden Wardlaw eased pressure for the home side crashing over after 50 minutes after powerful play by the forward pack with Henry converting the try.
After a sustained period of pressure for the next 20 minutes Rotoiti extended their lead when inside centre Matt Hansen battled over the line from a successful lineout with 10 minutes to go, with Henry missing the conversion.
Rotoiti could have scored a fourth try five minutes later if it wasn't for a forward pass right under the posts.
However McLean's side secured their bonus points in the last phase of the match when the impressive Abe Tito pushed over from a few yards out - much to the delight of the drenched home support.
McLean was happy with the win and the display of the forward pack, but was disappointed with the overall backline performance.
"Because of the conditions I am happy we managed to get over the line for the bonus points," he said.
"The tight five had a great game, especially Joe Royal and the rest of the front three. They set the platform in this bad weather and carried the ball very well.
"But we didn't fair too well in our width and generally we lacked a bit of cohesion out wide.
"Perhaps that might have been the bad weather but for next week we are going to be looking at our attacking and our back line."
Meanwhile, Whakarewarewa won their third game in a row holding off a tough Rangataua to beat them 13-8 at Puarenga Park.
Whaka led 13-3 at half time thanks to a Te Rangi Fraser try and two Ryubyn Vaipo penalty conversions, whilst Sasu Wihapi kicked over for the visitors.
They couldn't stop Teina Hika sliding under the posts for Rangataua but they managed to hold off a complete second half comeback surge to take the vital win.
"It was crucial for us to get the win because we want to be closing in on the pack ahead of us," said head coach Kopae Irihei.
"Rangataua are a great Maori club steeped in tradition so we can take great pride from the result."
Next weekend Rotoiti will see if they can fair as well as Whaka as they travel to Te Ariki Park to take on Rangataua whilst Whaka take on Greerton Marist away.
Baywide Premier Results:
Mount Maunganui 17 Tauranga Sports 12
Te Puke 42 Whakatane Marist 7
Greerton Marist 52 Paroa 19
Te Puna 99 Opotiki 3
Te Puke Sports 42 Whakatane Marist 7
Rotoiti 24 Arataki 11
Whakarewarewa 13 Rangataua 8
Baywide Premier Points:
Whakatane Marist 35
Tauranga Sports 35
Mount Maunganui Sports 37
Te Puke Sports 27
Te Puna 28
Rangataua 23
Rotoiti 23
Greerton Marist 22
Whakarewarewa 21
Opotiki 7
Arataki 7
Paroa 4
Baywide Development Results:
Mount Maunganui 43 Tauranga Sports 20
Te Puna 84 Opotiki 12
Te Puke Sports 57 Whakatane Marist 15
Rangataua 31 Whakarewarewa 22
Greerton Marist 32 Paroa 27
Rotoiti v Arataki - no result available
Baywide Division 1 Results:
Te Teko 31 Ruataoki 14
Rangiuru 33 Papamoa 10
Ngongotaha 19 Poroporo 19
Waikite 14 Kahukura 5
Marist St Michael's 10 Judea 10
Katikati Bye