Baywide rugby: Te Puna in winning form against Greerton Marist at Maramataga Park

Te Puna's Etonia Waqa is lifted high in a lineout against Greerton Marist. Photo / Peter White

Sometimes in sport, the final result can be misleading.

The big game of the round at Maramataga Park on Saturday was a classic example when high-flying Te Puna defeated Greerton Marist 59-16.

What appears a one-sided romp was anything but.

The visitors trailed 19-7 at halftime and then, on the back of two excellent long-range penalties from Irishman Neil Burns, they closed to 24-16 with 20 minutes to play.

But it was as if someone flicked a switch to energise the Te Puna team as they ran rampant over the final stages, scoring five tries helped by two intercepts and winger Hunter Mokomoko grabbing a late brace.

The superior depth on the bench and fitness levels of the Te Puna team told in the end and, not for the first time this season, they looked an impressive, highly organised outfit.

Captain Te Aihe Toma, who has played for Munster and the Highlanders in recent seasons, was quick to give Greerton due respect after the game.

"Greerton definitely brought it to us. We knew it was going to be physical and it was just a matter of absorbing that pressure, applying the opportunities when we can and hopefully finishing them off which we did today."

The consistency shown this season so far was a combination of the general support in the club and a superb pre-season that was paying off, Toma said.

"We have more of a buy-in this year in terms of starting with the top with our chiefs and our life members, then all the people who are involved off the rugby field and it just filters down to us into the leadership group, coaching, management and then into the players.

"I think the buy-in from everyone and the belief we can do it is the difference. The pre-season gave us an insight into the different types of combinations and how we can play.

"I think another difference this year we have from previous years is the amount of depth we have going from our development team, who are definitely stepping it up to another level."

On the sideline during the main game at Maramataga Park was a silver trophy that is nearly 100 years old. The Jordan Trophy is a bit battered around the edges but is hugely important to today's players. It is played for every week, and Te Puna take ownership for another week until they defend it next Saturday.

In other Premier results, leaders Tauranga Sports defeated Paroa 34-5, Te Puke Sports beat Whakatane Marist 69-5, Rangataua beat Whakarewarewa 46-21, Mount Maunganui Sports won the ocean beach derby 38-18 over Arataki, and Rotoiti got past Ngongotaha 24-15.

Rangiuru lost the battle of the undefeated sides in Division 1 after they were beaten 26-15 by Te Teko in the Eastern Bay.

Baywide Premier results
Te Puke Sports 69 v Whakatane Marist 5, Rangataua 46 v Whakarewarewa 21, Rotoiti 24 v Ngongotaha 15, Te Puna 59 v Greerton Marist 16, Paroa 5 v Tauranga Sports 34, Arataki 18 v Mount Maunganui Sports 38.
Development
Te Puke Sports 59 v Whakatane Marist 0, Rangataua 99 v Whakarewarewa 0, Rotoiti 29 v Ngongotaha 12, Te Puna 38 v Greerton Marist 0, Paroa 0 v Tauranga Sports 29, Arataki 0 v Mount Maunganui Sports 50.
Division One
Ruatoki 68 v Murupara 17, Te Teko 26 v Rangiuru 15, Marist St Michael's 40 v Papamoa 10, Kahukura 14 v Opotiki 41, Judea 5 v Waikite 42, Waimana 19 v Poroporo 34.