Rugby: Whaka's semis chase is on

Whaka's Whaimotu Craft-Chemis scored a hat-trick against Rangiuru on Saturday.Photo/Ben Fraser

Whakarewarewa are so close to a semifinal berth they can almost smell it.

Only one round remains before the playoffs in the Baywide premier competition and Whaka are currently in fourth spot.

Whaka defeated Rangiuru 50-5 on Saturday to stay in the top four.

Despite the big win, they will have to wait until Saturday to find out if they are guaranteed a place in the semifinals.

Te Puke have cemented their spot in the playoffs while Tauranga Sports, Mount Maunganui, Whakarewarewa and Greerton Marist will fight for the final three spots.

As it stands, Greerton are most likely to miss out, as they currently sit in fifth place.

However, Tauranga will play Greerton on Saturday and Whaka will play the Mount. That means everything could change in a heartbeat.

Whaka will be high on confidence heading into the final round after beating Rangiuru.

Whaka fullback Whaimotu Craft-Chemis, left out of the Bay of Plenty Steamers squad, scored a hat-trick and caused headache after headache for the Rangiuru defence.

Te Rangi Fraser also scored a spectacular solo try during the match.

The only downfall for Whaka was the sending off of Pomare Pirini, who will miss the next two matches with suspension.

Baywide premier standings: Te Puke 63, Tauranga 60, Mount Maunganui 60, Whakarewarewa 59, Greerton Marist 56, Rotoiti 33, Te Puna 29, Rangataua 26, Opotiki 26, Rangiuru 14.

Rangiuru 5 (Sean Peake try) lost to Whakarewarewa 50 (Whaimotu Craft-Chemis 3, Leighton Simpkins, Te Rangi Fraser, Riiki Waitoa, Akira Mako, Harold Koia tries; Te Rangi Fraser 4 con, John Ririnui con); Rotoiti 5 (Lionel Skipworth try) lost to Te Puke 68.