Rugby: Rotoiti hopes ended by Sport

Rotoiti's Baywide rugby season has come to an end in a 32-28 loss to table toppers Tauranga Sport.

Playing in front of a small but passionate Emery Park home crowd, Rotoiti battled back from being 18-6 behind at halftime to almost sneak a win.

The first quarter of the match was an epic arm wrestle with both sides exchanging two penalties a piece, but the match was turned on its head when Rotoiti prop Cory Marsters was sinbinned in the 26th minute for allegedly shoulder charging an opponent in a tackle.

As a result, Tauranga ran in two tries to Aifai Esera and Gareth Brown with first-five Paul Morris able to convert Esera's try.

Rotoiti looked in dire straits after the break when Tauranga scored a converted try in the 45th minute.

But Tauranga found themselves a man down in the second half when openside flanker Mitch Greenway found himself in the bin for a professional foul.

It opened the way for Rotoiti captain, Joe Royal and prop Nicki Nepia to score two of the side's four tries, bringing the score to 25-16.

Rotoiti looked out for the count when Tauranga scored the last of their four tries but the home side lifted and piled on the pressure to score tries to David "Sonny" Fraser and Kevin Guptil.

Although the Kevin Lee-coached side battled hard, time wasn't on their side and they will rue a few missed opportunities which may have seen them steal the win.

Although the two bonus points open the possibility of making a semi-final, those hopes were dashed with other results from around the region.

In an upset, Greerton Marist beat Te Puke Sport 16-10 and will now play Opotiki next week for a possible home semi-final spot.

Opotiki were too strong for Te Puna beating them 43-32, while Mount Maunganui's win over Whakarewarewa 40-22, means the Western Bay side will play last year's champions Te Puke, for a chance of a home semi-final.

In a bottom of the table clash Rangataua beat Paroa 18-13.

In division one, Rangiuru beat Whakatane Marist 25-12, Poroporo narrowly beat Katikati 11-7, Kahaukura overpowered Ruatoki 33-5, Te Teko beat Ngongotaha 33-26 and Waikite beat Marist St Michaels 34-20.

Scorers; Tauranga 32 (Aifai Esera, Gareth Brown, Nick Thomson, Lewis Hancock tries; Paul Morris 2 pens, 3 cons) Rotoiti 29 (Joe Royal, Nicki Nepia, David Fraser, Kevin Guptil tries; Ben Swindlehurst 2 pens, 1 con). Ht: 18-6