In the closest contest for a number of years, three teams are locked together at the top of the Bartercard Baywide Premier leader board, after results were on posted on Saturday (18 July 2009).

With just one round remaining before the semi-finals, Whakarewarewa, Tauranga Sports and Te Puke Sports all grabbed wins, to re-ink their credentials as genuine championship contenders.

The Rotorua local derby, between long time rivals Whakarewarewa and Rotoiti was an absolute thriller, with Whaka getting home by a solitary point. In a match where the advantage changed several times, the closeness of the contest was shown with the scores locked at 13 all at the break, before Whakarewarewa took out the encounter 31-30.

For the victors Scott Mayhew grabbed a double with Tamato Rhind also touching down, with Siegfried Fisiihoi, Josevata Tawake and Sikeli Bola recording tries for Rotoiti

Another intense rivalry was played out at the Tauranga Domain with Tauranga Sports defeating Mount Maunganui 31-17. The writing was on the wall at the half time break with Tauranga Sports holding a 24 nil lead. Tauranga fullback Toby Arnold had an outstanding game scoring two tries, and having a hand in his sides three other touchdowns.

In the Eastern Bay, Te Puke Sports had a real battle with Whakatane Marist before finally prevailing 29-17. The home side led 14-6 at the break, before Te Puke exerted real pressure in the second spell, to take out the encounter. Aaron Sutherland played a big part in the visitors win, contributing 24 points courtesy of a try, two conversions and five penalties.

Rangataua, had to withstand a determined Opotiki assault on the line in the last quarter, before posting a 17-15 win. After Rangataua led 17 nil at the break, the second half belonged to the Eastern Bay visitors, who gave the home side a torrid time in the second spell.

Te Puna provided Te Teko with their first loss of the Division One championship round, when they came from behind to post a 24-19 victory. Waikite and Kahukura remained in the top four, after despatching Ngongotaha and Arataki respectively, with Greerton Marist narrowly defeating Reporoa 25-19.

Eastern Districts provided an upset in Division Two, defeating second placed Ruatoki 27-16 at Tuhoe Park. Rangiuru got their Div Two campaign back on track defeating near neighbours Papamoa 33-5, with last season champions Paroa proving too good for Judea winning 18-5.

A major surprise came in Division Three, with Waimana upsetting Katikati who had been unbeaten in the Baywide competition. Playing in front of their home crowd, Waimana won a real arm wrestle to take out the encounter 13-6.

Matakana Island moved into second equal position (with Waimama) after beating Eastern Pirates 36-5 in Rotorua. With the Islanders to play bottom placed Apanui next week, there is a real chance that Matakana Island could host a home semi-final.

The Colts last round before the quarterfinals saw a couple of surprises. Rotoiti drew with Tauranga Sports 17 all, while Mount Maunganui posted a bonus point 27-0 victory over Whakarewarewa, who sat one place behind them on the point’s table.

Bay of Plenty Bartercard Baywide Rugby Results 18 July 2009
Premier:
Rangataua 17 (Adam McGarvey, Ashley Mason tries; John Ririnui 2 con pen) Opotiki 15 (Te Amo Wilbore, Rau Rangiahau tries; Sam Howe pen, Wilbore con) HT 17-0
Tauranga Sports 31 (Toby Arnold 2, Steve Honey, Jason Karauria, Kyle O'Brien tries; Eruera Haimona 3con) Mount Maunganui 17 (Quintin Gould, Shane Manu tries; Sam Jurisich pen con, Ryan Boshier con). HT: 24-0.
Te Puke Sports 29 (Daniel Bowater, Aaron Sutherland tries; Sutherland 5 pens, 2 cons) Whakatane Marist 17 (Alamoti Te Pou, Max Bullivant tries; Bullivant 2con pen) 6-14.
Whakarewarewa 31 (Scott Mayhew 2, Tamati Rhind tries; Kelly Haimona 4pen 2con) Rotoiti 30 (Siegfried Fisiihoi, Josevata Tawake, Sikeli Bola tries; Bola 2con 2pen, Kevin Guptil con dg).  HT: 13-13.
Points Table
Whakarewarewa 20, Te Puke Sports 20, Tauranga Sports 20, Rangataua 16, Mount Maunganui 15, Rotoiti 11, Opotiki 10, Whakatane Marist 2.

Division One: Te Puna 24 Te Teko 19, Kahukura 48 Arataki 0, Waikite 22 Ngongotaha 3, Greerton Marist 25 Reporoa 19.

Division Two: Paroa 18 Judea 5, Eastern Districts 27 Ruatoki 16, Rangiuru 33 Papamoa 5, Marist St Michaels won by default.

Division Three: Waimana 13 Katikati 6, Edgecumbe 24 Galatea 22, Matakana Island 36 Eastern Pirates 5,

Colts: Rangataua 27 Te Teko 0, Mount Maunganui 27 Whakarewarewa 0, Greerton Marist 80 Kahukura 0, Opotiki 15 Marist St Michaels 5, Te Puke Sports 26 Waikite 5, Tauranga Sports 17 Rotoiti 17, Te Puna 15 Taneatua 14, Ngongotaha won by default.

Western BOP Senior Reserve
Semi=Finals: Rangataua 21 Te puke Sports 12, Mount Maunganui 27 Te Puna 5.