Rotoiti outside back Sikeli Vorenasu grabbed all of his sides points in a real battle of attrition against Waikite, in the opening game of round two of the Bartercard Baywide Premier rugby competition, on Saturday (28 May 2011). The Rotoiti flyer scored the only try of the match, and added the conversion and a penalty goal.

Playing at home at Emery Park, where the lakesiders always enjoys plenty of vocal parochial support, Rotoiti ground out a 10 nil victory, keeping arch rivals Waikite scoreless throughout the encounter. The closeness of the competition in the middle of the point’s table, was shown with Rotoiti moving up two places into sixth position.

Another indicator of the intense competition in the Baywide top echelon, was provided in the local Eastern Bay derby between Opotiki and Whakatane Marist. Just three weeks ago the Whakatane side sat at the bottom of the points ladder, with just three points

On Saturday the Eastern Bay Marist side picked up their second consecutive victory, when they dominated the match-up in Opotiki against the home team, to post a 26-9 win. Dan Bowater added to his season try scoring tally with a touchdown, with Walter Amaroa and Kiti Paonga also scoring tries. Ever reliable Whakatane kicker Craig Edwards slotted 3 penalties and a conversion - with Opotiki’s Sam Howe kicking three penalty goals.

Tauranga Sports retained their lead at the top of the standings, with a comprehensive win against long time rivals Te Puke Sports, in the Kiwifruit Capital. A try apiece to Lewis Hancock, Nuno Pena E Costa, Phil Burleigh, Nick Evemy and John Stewart set the platform for the 36-7 victory.

First round front-runners Whakarewarewa had a real fight with Mount Maunganui, before re-inking their second place in the competition standings. Holding a 8 nil lead at the break, Whaka withstood a spirited comeback by the Western Bay visitors in the second spell, to post a 20-17 win.

Rangataua cut loose late in the second half against Te Puna, to be rewarded with a 41-18 victory. Holding a 16-3 advantage at half time, the home side had to absorb some real Te Puna pressure, before running in three quick- fire last quarter touchdowns

Division One newcomers Katikati, thrilled a home crowd estimated to be in excess of five hundred noisy supporters, when they got past Greerton Marist 22-16 at Moore Park in Katikati. The game between near neighbours Marist St Michaels and Kahukura, was always going to go down to the wire, with both sides involved in several close contests in recent weeks. At the final whistle a relieved Marist St Michaels trudged from the field with a narrow 19-17 victory.

Te Teko rebounded from last week’s first defeat to run away from Ruatoki 34-8, Rangiuru finally found last season’s form to defeated Paroa 41-15, with Ngongotaha too good for Reporoa winning 50-12.

Defending Colts champions Te Puke Sports, returned home with a solid 42-14 win against Opotiki in Opotiki. The victory retains the Western Bay teams unbeaten record. Te Puna showed that they were chasing a post section berth, convincingly defeating Tauranga Sports 34-13 at Maramatanga Park.

In other Colts Section One games, Rangataua posted their second successive win defeating former Colts titleholders Mount Maunganui 20-11, while Greerton Marist got past Marist St Michaels 18-15 in Rotorua. Section two winners were Ruatoki, Whakarewarewa and Edgecumbe.

Bartercard Baywide Rugby Results 28 May 2011
Premier
Whakarewarewa 20 (Doug Edwards, Chris Miller, Kelly Haimona tries; Haimona pen con) Mount 17 (Tutere Waenga, Lance MacDonald tries; Sam Juricich 2con pen). HT: 8-0.

Rotoiti 10 (Sikeli Vorenasu try, con pen) Waikite 0.

Whakatane Marist 26 (Dan Bowater, Walter Amaroa, Kiti Paonga tries; Craig Edwards 3pen con) Opotiki 9 (Sam Howe 3 pens)

Rangataua 41 (Matt Clutterbuck 2, Ryan Hika, Jason Hona, Wiremu Houia, Matua Parkinson tries; Rory McConnchie 3pens con) Te Puna 18 (Heywood Kuka, Vance Bidois tries; Darrell Houia 2 pens con) HT 16-3

Tauranga Sports 36 (Lewis Hancock, Nuno Pena E Costa, Phil Burleigh, Nick Evemy, John Stewart tries; Nick Evemy 4 con pen) Te Puke 7 Gideon Ullesse try, Nick McCashin con)

Premier Points Table: Tauranga Sports 40, Whakarewarewa 38, Rangataua 30, Mount Maunganui 28, Te Puke Sports 25, Rotoiti 24, Waikite 21, Opotiki 21, Whakatane Marist 12, Te Puna 10.

Division One: Te Teko 34 Ruatoki 8, Rangiuru 41 Paroa 15, Katikati 22 Greerton Marist 16, Marist St Michaels 19 Kahukura 17, Ngongotaha 50 Reporoa 12.

Colts (Section One) Te Puke Sports 42 Opotiki 14, Te Puna 34 Tauranga Sports 13. Rangataua 20 Mount Maunganui 11, Greerton Marist 18 Marist St Michaels 15 (Section Two) Whakarewarewa 30 Judea 10, Ruatoki 67 Whakatane Marist 10, Edgecumbe 22 Rotoiti 10.