Rugby: Win has Mount on the move

Rotoiti notched up their third straight victory on Saturday. Pictured is Rotoiti player Luke Cassidy (left). Photo / Stephen Parker

Defending Baywide premier champions Mount Maunganui were the big movers on the standings after defeating Whakarewarewa in a replay of last year's grand final.

The two sides met at Blake Park on Saturday, with Mount winning the round-six fixture 31-20.

The result was Whaka's third straight defeat, which has put a big dent in their semifinal aspirations.

Meanwhile, fellow Rotorua heavyweights Rotoiti have won their third match on the trot after defeating Whakatane Marist 55-24 at home.

Rotoiti led 26-6 at the halfway stage of the encounter on Saturday before going on to post a bonus-point victory.

During the grand final replay at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui opened the scoring early when Matt Axtens crossed for a try. Whakarewarewa rebounded with a try to Te Rangi Fraser.

The home side led 19-10 at halftime before dotting down twice in the second spell to hold an 18-point advantage.

With the clock ticking away Whaka scored their final try, losing 31-20. Mount have moved into fourth on the table behind Tauranga Sports, Te Puke and Rotoiti.

Frontrunners Tauranga Sports picked up their sixth successive bonus-point victory, defeating Paroa in a game of two halves. The table leaders led 8-7 at the break, before running in 10 tries to post a 76-7 victory.

The biggest win of round six came at Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke, where Te Puke Sports trounced Waikite 82-0 after leading by 44 points at halftime.

Te Puna got their Baywide campaign back on track to move into sixth after defeating Opotiki 45-15, while Greerton Marist won the Western Bay derby against Rangataua with a 36-20 victory.

-Premier points table (provisional):

Tauranga Sports 30, Te Puke Sports 27, Rotoiti 21, Mount Maunganui 20, Rangataua 16, Greerton Marist 16, Whakarewarewa 15, Te Puna 14, Whakatane Marist 11, Paroa 5, Opotiki 4, Waikite 0. List of premier try scorers page 22.

Results

Baywide results from Saturday (round six):

* Premier: Te Puke Sports 82 Waikite 0, Tauranga Sports 76 Paroa 7, Greerton Marist 36 Rangataua 20, Te Puna 45 Opotiki 15, Mount Maunganui 31 Whakarewarewa 20, Rotoiti 55
Whakatane Marist 24.

* Development grade: Te Puke Sports 47 Waikite 7, Tauranga Sports 33 Paroa 0, Greerton Marist 48 Rangataua 5, Te Puna 26 Opotiki 24, Mount Maunganui 41 Whakarewarewa 0, Rotoiti v Whakatane Marist - Rotoiti won by default.