With Rangiuru sitting out the bye, Rangataua took the opportunity to climb to the top of the Baywide Premier women's table with a commanding 50-31 win over Whakarewarewa.
Despite the scoreline, Whakarewarewa coach Ron James was pleased with the 80-minute effort his team produced and the way they bounced back from a heavy loss to Rangiuru the week before.
It was a game in which Rangataua were always in control, but Whakarewarewa scored often enough to stay within touching distance of a comeback.
Rangataua opened the scoring through winger Maia Carrington, who was a standout throughout.
She received the ball in space on the wing and bulldozed everyone in her way with a great showing of speed and power. In first five Renee Holmes Rangataua have a very handy goal kicker and she converted to make it 7-0.
Whakarewarewa's Hinearo Wall charges up field against Rangataua on Sunday. Photo / Ben Fraser
Ten minutes into the half Whakarewarewa squared things up when lock Antoinette Kereopa crashed over from close range.
Carrington got Rangataua back in the lead with her second long-range try before fullback Olivia Richardson left the defence for dead on the right hand side to make it 19-7.
The sides traded tries in the last 10 minutes of the half and Rangataua led 26-12 at the break.
The start of the second half is where Rangataua really put the foot down.
Their forwards were dominating the breakdown and they have some electric backs who were able to make the most of the possession. They scored three quick tries, including Carrington's third, to race to a 38-12 lead.
Whakarewarewa were not finished though and they hit back, after a long period of possession, when first five Terina Mohi raced through to score. She converted the try to reduce the Rangataua lead to 38-19.
Whakarewarewa first five Terina Mohi looks to hit a gap against Rangataua on Sunday. Photo / Ben Fraser
Carrington scored her fourth try before Whakarewarewa hit back with two more tries, making the score 43-31.
Rangataua scored in the dying seconds and Holmes, who had an excellent day with the boot, snuck the conversion over off the inside of the post to crack the half century.
James said he was proud of the effort his players put in and that they were improving every week.
"I think there's a lot of improvement and once we get some structure and stuff we'll be sweet. The big thing about this is they've definitely got heart and you can see it, they're doing things really well at times.
"That attitude and heart is something you can't teach, it has to come from within. Look at the smiles on their faces, they lost but they're all happy, they know there are better things to come.
"I think on our day Rangataua are beatable, it will be an interesting game when they play Rangiuru. All credit to them, though, they played well today," he said.
Rangataua assistant coach Gavin Masey said his side produced a "tough" performance.
"Both teams were pretty hard, I think our players just showed a lot of passion and a lot of mana. We have a whole heap of new girls in our team, there are about seven playing their first year of rugby.
"Women's rugby is growing massively and we're getting better and better. It's about implementing what we do in training when we get to the game, but we're getting there.
"I think Whaka were awesome, they got a bit of a hiding against Rangiuru but this week they came out and really fired. Credit to them for giving it a good go," Masey said.
Baywide Premier Women's results Sunday: Waimana 45 Rotoiti 0, Waikite 44 Matata 5, Rangataua 50 Whakarewarewa 31, Rangiuru the bye.
