Rugby: Final spots up for grabs after upsets

The proverbial cat has well and truly been thrown among the pigeons at the halfway mark of the Baywide premier rugby season.

Upsets at either end of the competition in round nine will have far-reaching implications in the tightly-contested division.

Among the upsets were Paroa being tipped over by Rotoiti 16-12 to win their second match of the season on Saturday.

The win lifts Parao into a share of ninth place, with a disappointed Rotoiti outfit just five points ahead in eighth spot.

Meanwhile, top-four hopefuls Whakarewarewa were undone by Te Puna 41-27 on the weekend.

The result sees the red and blacks slip out of the top four into fifth spot, with Te Puna overtaking courtesy of the victory.

Events at Blake Park did much the same in terms of an upset, healing some mental scars for the home side, Mount Maunganui.

Mount, who have lost four games by a mere point this season, managed to hold on against contenders Te Puke Sports 21-15 to breathe fresh life back into their campaign.

The match represented the third loss in four weeks for defending champions Te Puke, who are now in third position with three teams - Te Puna, Whakarewarewa and Mount Maunganui - within striking distance.

Unsurprisingly, Tauranga Sports had nothing to do with an upset on Saturday, continuing their dominant form as league leaders. The unbeaten side, who have failed only once this season to collect a four-try bonus point, picked up their customary five points against a Rangataua outfit that did not have the best of days, losing 49-16.

Meanwhile, Greerton Marist shook off the disappointment of last week's loss by beating Opotiki 26-15 to regain second position.

In division one, competition leaders Rangiuru were knocked over to give up the competition lead.

Waikite, winners of two straight coming into the contest, prevailed at home 29-25 to seriously alter the competition landscape.

Poroporo now sit top of the log with 37 points after dismantling Marist St Michael's 57-7 on the weekend.

Points ladder premier grade: Tauranga Sports 44, Greerton Marist 29, Te Puke 28, Te Puna 25, Whakarewarewa 25, Mount Maunganui 22, Opotiki 21, Rotoiti 14, Rangataua 9, Paroa 9.

Baywide division one results: Waikite 29 Rangiuru 25, Kahukura 27 Katikati 19, Te Teko 25 Ruatoki 3, Whakatane Marist 35 Ngongotaha 30 and Poroporo 57 Marist St Michael's 7.