Two of the teams in the relegation danger zone, posted victories in the Bartercard Baywide Premier competition on Saturday (12 June 2010), to give their sides a little more space from the bottom of the points ladder.

At Maramatanga Park, Te Puna finished with a seven-try victory against cellar dweller Te Teko. While the final whistle score line of 47-15 would suggest an easy victory, the reality was that the home side had to defend like Trojans, throughout much of the match.

Te Puna opening the scoring with a try to Daryll Houia in the opening minutes, before the Te Teko reply evened the score at seven apiece. After 30 minutes Tapene Mika dotted down for his first of three touchdowns, with Gray Gardiner touching down just before the break to see his team lead 21-7.

The try of the match came late in the encounter, when former Steamer Aiden Kuka made a solo run of some thirty metres to score. Te Puna sharp shooter Tajohn Malata converted six of the Te Puna tries. The Te Puna win gives the side some breathing space in the race to avoid relegation.

In the Eastern Bay Whakatane Marist won the local derby with Opotiki, to move five points clear of Te Teko in last place. In a game where both combatants had their chances Whakatane Marist got home 19-14, with Abe Tito grabbing two tries for the victors.

Defending Baywide titleholders Tauranga Sports moved ten points clear at the top of the table, when they repelled the challenge from Whakarewarewa. Flying winger Matt Hodson led the way for the home side victory grabbing two touchdowns, in the 29-16 win at Tauranga Sports headquarters.

In game that was described as the best played at Te Ariki Park for many a long time – visitors Mount Maunganui eked out a 23-15 win. With two tries apiece, the difference was Mount Maunganui kicker Dan Waenga, who calmly slotted three penalties and converted both tries.

Te Puke Sports re-inked their place in the top four, when they returned home from Emery Park with a narrow 21-19 win over Rotoiti, on their ledger card.

With competition leaders Waikite on the sideline courtesy of the bye, Rangiuru moved closer to the lead with a 22 nil win over Marist St Michaels in Rotorua. Reporoa raised a few eyebrows with their 25-10 victory over Ngongotaha, with Greerton Marist and Kahukura also posting victories.

In the Colts Division competition, front runners Te Puke Sports coasted to an easy victory against Te Teko, winning 65-12.  Greerton Marist who lurk just a point behind Te Puke, also had a sold win defeating Whakarewarewa 55-5. The clash in two weeks time, between Te Puke and Greerton, is likely to decide the first round title.

Other age group teams to post victories, were Tauranga Sports who just got past Te Puna 15-8, Ngongataha upsetting Mount Maunganui 23-15, with Opotiki producing an old fashioned 5-3 score line on the way to defeating Marist St Michaels.

Bartercard Baywide Results 12 June 2010
Premier
Te Puna 47 (Tapene Mika 3, Gray Gardiner 2, Darrell Houia, Aidan Kuka tries; Tajhon Mailata 6cons) Te Teko 15 (Corey Hahipene, Matt Young tries; Young con pen). HT: 21-7.

Mount Maunganui 23 (Dan Waenga, Grant McQuoid tries; Waenga 3pen 2con) Rangataua 15 (Matua Parkinson 2 tries; John Ririnui pen con). HT: 6-0.

Te Puke Sports 21 (Nick McCashin, Mark Nicolaas tries; McCashin 3pen con) Rotoiti 19 (Sikeli Vorenasu, David Fraser, Mark Royal tries; Whakataki Cunningham 2con).  HT: 15-5.

Whakatane Marist 19 (Abe Tito 2, Walter Treviranus tries; Craig Edwards 2con) Opotiki 14 (Te Amo Wilbore, Reece Simpson tries; Sam Howe 2con). HT: 14-7.

Tauranga Sports 29 (Matt Hodson 2, Toby Arnold, Callum Armstrong, Tristan Moran tries; Jason Karauria con, Nick Evemy con) Whakarewarewa 16 (Hamish Lockwood try; Kelly Haimona 3pen con).  HT: 17-7.

Premier Points Tables
Tauranga Sports 53, Rotoiti 43, Mount Maunganui 43, Te Puke Sports 36, Rangataua 27, Whakarewarewa 27, Opotiki 24, Te Puna 21, Whakatane Marist 17, Te Teko 12.

Division One:  Kahukura 44 Paroa 19, Reporoa 25 Ngongotaha 10, Rangiuru 22 Marist St Michaels 0, Greerton Marist 29 Ruatoki 7.
Colts: Tauranga Sports 15 Te Puna 8, Te Puke Sports 65 Te Teko 12, Greerton Marist 55 Whakarewarewa 5, Ngongotaha 23 Mount Maunganui 15, Opotiki 5 Marist St Michaels 3, Rotoiti won by default.