Te Puke Sports won against Greerton while Rotoiti took the Tai Mitchell shield from Marist St Michael's on Saturday. Photo / Te Puke Sports, Supplied
Te Puke Sports won against Greerton while Rotoiti took the Tai Mitchell shield from Marist St Michael's on Saturday. Photo / Te Puke Sports, Supplied
The intensity of the Baywide Premier title race ratcheted up after play resumed on Saturday, following last weekend’s King’s Birthday holiday break.
Baywide Premier competition leaders Te Puke Sports were given a real fright when Greerton Marist visited the Pirates’ headquarters at Murray Salt Stadium.
Greerton took control of theproceedings with a 10-nil lead before Te Puke Sports got points on the board in a very physical game.
It took the home side 25 minutes into the second spell to hit the front, taking a 12-10 lead.
Baywide Premier team Te Puke Sports won again Greerton Marist 17-15 at Murray Salt Stadium on Saturday, June 7. Photo / Te Puke Sports
Greerton came back with a try, before Te Puke No 11 Kolinio Gonebale dotted the ball down in the corner to take the home team to a hard-fought 17-15 victory.
Whakarewarewa, who sit in second place on the standings, also had to survive a spirited challenge from Mount Maunganui at Puarenga Park.
The hosts led by just two (14-12) after 40 minutes, before scoring a converted try in the second spell to bank a 21-15 win.
Te Puke Sports' pirate mascot. Photo / Te Puke Sports
Tauranga Sports ran in 13 tries in beating Rangataua 77-5 – leapfrogging Te Puna, who sat out the bye – and moving into the top four.
In the Central Bay of Plenty Senior A competition, Rotoiti beat Marist St Michael’s 31-22 to take hold of the Tai Mitchell Shield at Marist Park on Saturday.
Ngongotahā beat Kahukura 22-15 at the Ngongotahā Domain, while Waikite walloped Eastern Pirates 64-12.
Reporoa defeated Murupara 35-19.
Rotoiti beat Marist St Michael’s 31-22 to claim the Tai Mitchell Shield.
Tauranga Sports’ Colts/Under 85kg team won an entertaining clash with Greerton Marist at the Tauranga Domain.
The hosts seemed to have the game in the bag when they led 40-12, 12 minutes into the second half. However, Greerton came back hard to post 19 points, which saw Tauranga Sports finally grab the points on offer with a 45-31 win.
Other age-group sides to post victories were competition leaders Te Puke Sports, who ran over Marist St Michael’s 82-5; Pāpāmoa and Mount Maunganui.
Baywide Premier team Te Puke Sports won against Greerton Marist 17-15 at Murray Salt Stadium on Saturday, June 7. Photo / Te Puke Sports
The Western Bay of Plenty Championship round robin competition sees Katikati lead Rangiuru by a solitary point, with Arataki just another point in arrears.
The weekend matchups resulted in Arataki squeezing past Eastern Districts 30-27, Rangiuru beating Pāpāmoa 50-14, and Katikati defeating the combined Judea and Matakana Island side 41-12.
A Baywide Development encounter between Whakarewarewa and Mount Maunganui finished in a 19-19 draw. Tauranga Sports repelled a solid challenge from Rangataua 43-28, with Greerton Marist triumphant against Te Puke Sports, 36-28.
Baywide Premier team Te Puke Sports won against Greerton Marist 17-15 at Murray Salt Stadium on Saturday, June 7. Photo / Te Puke Sports
