The top three Bartercard Baywide Premier teams, laid down the challenge to the other contenders on Saturday (29 May 2010). Starting the second round of the championship title race, defending champions Tauranga Sports, Rotoiti and Mount Maunganui all posted big wins.

A the Tauranga Domain the expected close contest between Tauranga Sports and arch rivals Te Puke Sports, didn’t eventuate, with Tauranga Sports running in five tries in a 37-10 victory.

Jason Karauria had an outstanding day picking up two tries, and kicking three conversions and two penalty goals. The other Tauranga touchdowns were awarded to Matt Hodson, Sam Cane and Gareth Brown - with Ryan Lambert and Craig Donovan dotting down for the visitors.

Mount Maunganui who last won the Baywide Premier crown in 2005, showed that that they are serious about this seasons championship, with a seven tries to one blitz of Opotiki at Blake Park.

A try awarded to Sam Maisey from the opening kick-off saw the Mount in charge. However they had to repel several Opotiki attacks on the line late in the first half, to take a 19-3 lead into the break.

Three minutes into the second half Maisey grabbed his second touch down, with his side going on to post a 45-13 win. The other Mount tries were given to Grant McQuoid, Ted Tauroa, Tutere Waenga and Troye Elvin, with Dan Waenga kicking five conversions.

Rotoiti made a definitive statement at home at Emery Park with a 56-21 victory over Te Puna. The Rotoiti team who had posted a number of narrow wins in the first round cut loose with nine tries.

Rangataua sit comfortably in the middle of the points table after grabbing a narrow victory over Whakarewarewa at Te Ariki Park. The home side came from a 3-7 deficit at the half way stage, to grab a 14-10 win. The Eastern Bay local derby was taken out by Te Teko who got home from Whakatane Marist 19-14.

Jamieson Oval in Te Puke, experienced a rare treat when Rangiuru’s All Black Tanerau Latimer, turned out for his club, against Kahukura in a Division One match. The Te Puke based side cemented second place on the points table with a 28-13 win.

Waikite held on to their unbeaten record in a real nailbiter, squeezing home against Greerton Marist 9-5 at Greerton Park. Other Div One sides to emerge with victories were Marist St Michaels who defeated Ruatoki 30-19, and Reporoa getting past Paroa 28-19.

The two Baywide Colts front-runners both continued their winning streaks, albeit in contrasting circumstances. Te Puke Sports made no race of the game against Te Puna winning 42 nil.

Greerton Marist, who has been the surprise package of this year’s age group championship, had a real battle with Mount Maunganui before prevailing 19-10. Along with the victory Greerton also annexed the Oliver Cup (Western BOP challenge trophy), which had been held by Mount Maunganui since last season.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Results 29 May 2010
Baywide Premier:
Rangataua 14 (Ash Mason try; John Ririnui 3pen) Whakarewarewa 10 (Kelly Haimona try pen con).
 
Te Teko 19 (Luke O'Brien, Dan Godbold tries; Scott Sutherland 3pen) Whakatane Marist 14 (Kite Paonga try; Craig Edwards 3pen).

Rototiti 56 (Sikeli Vorenasu 3, Luke Cassidy 2, Josevata Tevake, Elijah Hira-Wilson, Luther Robinson, Kevin Guptil tries; Whakataki Cunningham 2con, pen, Vorenasu con, Joe Fenton con) Te Puna 21 Tai Maniatata, Hori Leef, Taroia Kuka tries; Tahjon Mailata 2 con, Daryll Houia con)

Tauranga Sports 37 (Jason Karauria 2, Matt Hodson, Sam Cane, Gareth Brown tries; J Karauria 3 con 2 pens) Te Puke Sports 10 (Ryan Lambert, Craig Donovan tries)

Mount Maunganui 45 (Sam Maisey 2, Grant McQuoid, Ted Tauroa, Tutere Waenga, Troye Elvin, James Riddell tries; Dan Waenga 5 cons) Opotiki 13

Points Tables
Tauranga Sports 43, Rotoiti 42, Mount Maunganui 34, Te Puke Sports 28, Opotiki 23, Rangataua 23, Whakarewarewa 22, Te Puna 16, Whakatane Marist 13, Te Teko 11.

Division One: Waikite 9 Greerton Marist 5, Reporoa 28 Paroa 19, Rangiuru 28 Kahukura 13, Marist St Michaels 30 Ruatoki 19.

Colts: Te Puke Sports 42 Te Puna 0, Greerton Marist 19 Mount Maunganui 10. Te Teko 69 Whakatane Marist 0, Marist St Michaels 14 Whakarewarewa 5, Tauranga Sports 52 Rotoiti 32, Ngongotaha 34 Opotiki 12.