Whakarewarewa's Dennon Robinson-Bartlett makes a run against Te Puke. Photo / Stephen Parker
Whakarewarewa's Dennon Robinson-Bartlett makes a run against Te Puke. Photo / Stephen Parker
Rotorua's premier rugby sides have started the busiest week of the season with a trifecta of wins.
With midweek games being played on Anzac Day, Baywide rugby teams are playing three games in eight days and all three of Rotorua's premier sides started with a win.
Whakarewarewa had the chanceto make a move up the table when they hosted Te Puke, who were one spot above them, yesterdayand scored in the dying moments to snatch a 27-25 victory.
Coach Boxer Smith said it was a "hard-fought" win.
"[Te Puke] had the breeze in the first half, but they only led 12-5 at halftime, so we fancied ourselves to comeback with the breeze behind us.
"We hung in there and kept plodding away, they boys showed some good character to grind it out, hold possession, be patient and score the try that won the game," Smith said.
The winning try was scored by Ryubyn Vaipo just minutes before the fulltime whistle.
"The crowd was happy, the supporters were happy and it was a good boost for the boys' confidence and team morale, especially going into the derby against Rotoiti on Wednesday.
"Te Puke are one of the benchmark teams in the competition, they're always up around top four, so to topple them tells us we're heading in the right direction," he said.
Whakarewarewa's Mathew Garland slips out of a tackle against Te Puke. Photo / Stephen Parker
Smith said his forward pack was by no means the biggest in the competition, but they punched well above their weight.
"Every week our forwards are really holding their own and set piece and laying the platform for our exciting backs. It's all on attitude at the moment and the team is building a bit of culture which is good."
Meanwhile, after a couple of sluggish weeks, Rotoiti made a big statement, almost scoring a point a minute to hammer Whakatane Marist 79-7.
Rotoiti were heavy favourites going into the match, but it takes a lot of discipline to continue pushing when you already have a comfortable lead. Coach Richard Francis was pleased with the way his team "stuck to their guns".
"To score nearly 80 points in a game means we're doing things well. I wanted them to show discipline to stick to their structure, it's easy to get loose when the score starts to blow out but the boys were able to do what we've been trying to put into place so far this season," Francis said.
He said it was an all-round team effort, but Pryor Collier impressed again, filling in for the injured Whakataki Cunningham at first five.
"He directed the game well, he was pretty good. The tries were spread throughout the team."
Rotoiti and Whakarewarewa now go straight into recovery and preparation mode for Wednesday's Anzac Day clash in Rotoiti, in which the Tai Mitchell Shield will be up for grabs.
Ngongotaha travelled to bottom-of-the-table Paroa and beat them 33-12 for their second win of the season. They travel to Te Puna on Wednesday.
Baywide Premier: Greerton Marist 21 v Mount Maunganui 17 Te Puna 40 v Tauranga Sports 12 Rotoiti 79 v Whakatane Marist 7 Whakarewarewa 27 v Te Puke Sports 25 Rangataua 69 v Arataki 5 Ngongotaha 33 v Paroa 12
Baywide Premier Development: Mount Maunganui 26 v Greerton Marist 21 Te Puna 32 v Tauranga Sports 12 Rotoiti 84 v Whakatane Marist 7 Te Puke Sports 51 v Whakarewarewa 10 Rangataua 53 v Arataki 3 Ngongotaha 55 v Paroa 8
Baywide Division 1: Ruatoki 16 v Judea 0 Rangiuru 38 v Marist St Michael's 34 Opotiki 46 v Te Teko 0 Papamoa 68 v Waimana 27 Kahukura 31 v Murupara 24 Waikite won by default from Poroporo
Eastern Bay of Plenty Senior Reserves: Matata 49 v Te Teko 14 Edgecumbe 55 v Ruatoki 15 Opotiki - Bye
Results supplied by the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.
