Rotorua weather gods shine down on Whakarewarewa in Baywide Premier

An impressive display from Whakarewarewa fired the team to a hefty 62-21 win against Whakatane Marist at Puarenga Park today. Delighted home fans were treated to a try filled match, in front of a rainbow backdrop, and in scoring nine tries to three Whaka dominated and showed plenty of flair with their pacy backline.

The red and black men took an early lead through flanker Sioeli Alofi after the nifty player intercepted a Whakatane lineout. He still had much to do but powerfully broke through a flailing defensive line to touch down in the right corner.

Whakarewarewa flanker Sioeli Alofi scored his side's opening try at Puarenga Park. Photo/Ben Fraser

Whaka had established a 19-7 lead after 30 minutes thanks to converted tries from front rower Jone Lesi, and lock Derone Campbell either side of a Jovesa Matakasa converted try for Whakatane.

The home side were then caught napping and allowed a clever kick through ball to find the feet of fast paced Ratu Daurau who chased on to dive over for a converted try.

But the confident boot of Ryuben Vaipo from a penalty two minutes before half-time took Whaka 22-14 in at the break.

After a firm talk from Whaka head coach Joe Savage, who pulled on the jersey and came on in the second-half, at half-time Whaka came out firing off all cylinders and were 36-14 up after 49 minutes thanks to a superb Reuben Edwards converted try after a neat offload from Mathew Garland who then turned scorer for his team.

The home side surged ahead with another two tries - a second for Campbell and Shaquille Stone also making the score sheet either side of a Whakatane touch down.

Returning Whaka player Ngarimu Simpkins and Lionel Skipworth completed the rout in front of a now delirious crowd.

Whakarewarewa took on Whakatane Marist in front of a rainbow back drop at Puarenga Park. Photo/Ben Fraser

Savage said it was a much improved performance from last weekend's 33-16 defeat against Tauranga Sports.

"I'm not 100 per cent pleased but it was a vast improvement from last week and previous weeks as well so it's another tick in our box really," he said.

"There was a lot of clarity on where we were going in the game and our set pieces started really well. I think we lost a couple but again another improvement from last week.

"We were led well, we knew exactly where we needed to go, what moves needed to happen at which stage so all in all a good performance from everyone really."

Savage picked out Campbell as a standout player.

"He stood out pretty well, he didn't get any time last week and I think it just made him a little bit hungrier and it proved dividends for him in the game,' he said. "He got two good tries and some good carries - he played solid all game."

Meanwhile, Whakatane's captain Luke van Veen said he was disappointed with the result after his side were slow out of the blocks in the first 20 minutes.

"I'm a little bit disappointed, the boys came here with the attitude to win. Whaka just played us off the park a bit. They kept to their game plan pretty well and we didn't play ours. We weren't clinical enough at times. We had ample opportunities to get across the line and score tries we just weren't there at the end," he said.

"The game was lost by the first 20 minutes - we let them get into their stride and they are a great team when they come out of the gates and get points on the board."

Both teams have a quick turnaround - Whaka take on Paroa away at Lawson Park on Saturday while Whakatane face off against Rotoiti.

"Our preparations during the week has been pretty solid. We haven't had too much contact or too much fitness involved because we are right in the middle of the season now. We just go as we have been going," said Savage.

Baywide Club rugby results from the Easter weekend:

Baywide Premier results:

Whakarewarewa 62 Whakatane Marist 21, Rotoiti 17 Tauranga Sports 17, Arataki 21 Rangataua 16, Greerton Marist 55 Poroporo 6.

Postponed:

Te Puna v Mount Maunganui (Tuesday April 18, Kick-off 7.45pm); Te Puke Sports v Paroa (Tuesday April 18, Kick-off 7.30pm).

Baywide Development results:

Whakarewarewa 37 Whakatane Marist 27, Arataki 31 Rangataua 10, Greerton Marist 39 Poroporo 7, Tauranga Sports 55 Rotoiti 27.

Postponed:

Te Puna v Mount Maunganui (Tuesday April 18, Kick-off 6pm); Te Puke Sports v Paroa (Tuesday April 18, Kick-off 6pm).

Baywide Division 1 results:

Papamoa 14 Marist St Michael's 12, Ngongotaha 65 Waimana 5, Waikite 19 Judea 13, Rangiuru 27 Te Teko 25.

Postponed:

Katikati v Ruatoki; Opotiki v Kahukura.