Hat trick hero BJ Raroa wraps it up for Pikiao

A hat-trick of tries to playmaker BJ Raroa has firmed Pikiao's lead in the Bay of Plenty district rugby league competition.

Pikiao share the competition lead with Otumoetai Eels who flogged Tauranga Whalers 54-10 at Mitchell Park at the weekend.

The Rotorua side were too strong for their Tokoroa counterparts with a convincing 50-16 win at Puketawhero Park.

Raroa was almost unstoppable from dummy half and was rewarded for his effort around the ruck with the first of his three tries, when he crashed through some weak and ineffective tackling from Forestland in the opening minutes of the game.

It's no secret that Pikiao use a confrontational approach to the game, getting their big men such as Ivor Thomas, Belmain Smith, James Ryan, Daniel Biddle-Hunuhunu and captain Jason Kameta to take the ball up and rattle their opponent's defensive line, creating space for their playmakers like Raroa, Pikikawana Taiatini and Te Kaiaotoa Tahuriorangi.

Another star of the team is fullback Connor Hohepa who oozes talent and is Billy Slater-like with his deceptive running and stepping, which was a huge factor in his two tries for Pikiao.

In fact, Pikiao picked up nine tries to Forestland's three. But what will worry Pikiao coach Selwyn Rikiti is his team's tendency to switch off at crucial times. Each of Forestland's tries came when Pikiao dropped off their intensity.

Although Forestland will be disappointed with the score, they showed signs they can push a top team but need to increase their fitness to maintain pressure on their opponents when they have them under the pump.

The Tokoroa side only needs to look to their utility player Hendrix Hodge, a rampaging youngster who is pure class. He worked tirelessly on and off the ball and was a constant thorn in Pikiao's side, not only in this game but the premier reserve's game, in which he also played.

Two other standouts for Forestland were their halves Graham Dawson and Leon Bartie. When their pack gave them good go forward, Dawson and Bartie made inroads into Pikiao's defence, which opened up for standoff Kel Kingi to set his back line on fire. Kingi is a shrewd operator and often takes the right option which led to his side's tries to winger Anthony Amouta, Clifton Brighoose and Bartie, with Kingi kicking two from three.

Both teams have tough matches next week with Forestland taking on Pacific in Tokoroa. The Sharks had a convincing 62-10 win over Central. Pikao host Otumoetai in a top-of-the-table clash at Puketawhero Park on Saturday.

In the premier reserve grade, Pikiao beat Forestland 44-24, Pacific beat Central 32-28, Otumoetai beat Tauranga 70-20, Reporoa beat Putaruru 48-40 and Mangakino narrowly beat Turangi 40-38.