Rotoiti's Tumua Cunningham and his side over came tough opposition to reach the Baywide Premier 1 semifinals on Saturday. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Rotoiti's Tumua Cunningham and his side over came tough opposition to reach the Baywide Premier 1 semifinals on Saturday. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Baywide rugby
Ecstatic cheers rang out around Emery Park on Saturday as Rotoiti secured a place in the top four of Baywide Premiership 1 after a momentous victory.
They beat this season's unbeaten side Mount Maunganui Sports 27-21, thanks to the help of a Abe Tito hat-trick of tries, to line up a semifinal clash against the same opposition next weekend.
In the battle for the top four Rotoiti clinched fourth place, with their bonus points win, one point ahead of fifth placed Te Puna who missed out despite beating Te Puke Sports 34-28 at home.
While Tauranga Sports claimed third place after a 58-18 demolition of Whakatane Marist with top of the table Mount Maunganui and second placed Rangataua already securing their semifinal spots last weekend.
The competitive nature of this season's Baywide club season and the importance of Rotoiti's match was palpable on the pitch with little to choose between the two sides as they slid over for a total of seven tries.
Rotoiti coach Dave McLean said he was "overwhelmed" by his side's performance and dedicated the victory to Rotoiti life member and major sponsor Willie Newton who died last week.
"It was their best performance of the season because they committed everything," he said.
"We did it in memory of Willie. It was a tribute to him because he has been such a big part of this club and I'm sure he would have been very proud watching down on it.
"Everybody put their bodies on the line. We dominated on our set pieces and in the forwards, the backs also defended well.
"We looked hungry for the win and played their hearts out I couldn't have asked for anything more."
Rotoiti were 5-0 up in the very first minute of the game when winger Matt Landers crashed over in the corner after excellent forward work.
Mount Maunganui responded with a try of their own shortly after but the home side took a 10-5 lead after 15 minutes when Tito touched down for his first try.
The away side's Pera Gibbs kept his side in touch with a penalty shortly after.
But it was Rotoiti who went in with a 17-13 advantage at half-time, despite a Mount Maunganui try just before the whistle, thanks to Tito's second try with a Logan Henry conversion.
The home side extended their lead five minutes after the restart with a converted try seeing the lock complete his trio.
Mount Maunganui battled hard and replied with a try ten minutes later and a Gibbs penalty at the end of the game.
However Rotoiti, cheered on by screaming fans, clung on with a battling defence display especially in the forward line, and deservedly celebrated victory wildly on the final whistle.
The Rotoiti side celebrate their victory over Mount Maunganui Sports on Saturday and making it into the semifinals of the Baywide Premier 1 competition. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
McLean said the win was down to an "excellent tight five platform" with stand out performances including Josh White, stand in prop Willie Royal and try scorer Tito.
"They set up and secured the ball properly for the ball," he said.
"The whole forward pack were incredible. We knew the Mount was going to be strong in that area but we powered through.
"Tito was incredible. He was very clinical and showed his experienced. He found himself in very high pressured situations but kept a cool head."
Rotoiti will now face Mount Maunganui again, this time at their Blake Park fortress next weekend for a shot at a place in the final.
"Each of the four teams left has a chance to get their hands on that title," McLean said.
"We can't underestimate the Mount just because we got this win. They will to come back stronger and will be hurting after this defeat.
"The team just has to fully focus and set their eyes on the prize."
Meanwhile in Premier 2 Whakarewarewa are the only other local side to be involved in semifinals, finishing first, after beating close rivals Ngongotaha 38-15 at home.
While Paroa took second place after a 71-7 hammering of bottom of the table Marist St Michael's.
Poroporo grabbed the third spot after beating Arataki, who claimed the final semifinal spot in fourth, 24-13 at home.
And Waikite finished in seventh after a narrow 8-0 away defeat against fifth placed Opotiki.
The Rotoiti side celebrate their victory over Mount Maunganui Sports on Saturday and making it into the semifinals of the Baywide Premier 1 competition. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
