Two draws and a one point victory, testified to the intensity of competition in the penultimate round of the regular season, in the Bartercard Baywide Premier competition played on Saturday (16 July 2011) afternoon.

While Whakarewarewa were held to a 29 all draw by archrivals Rotoiti at Puarenga Park, the two points that the home team took from the encounter, ensued that Whaka has booked the final place in the Baywide semi-finals to be played in two weeks time.

Whakarewarewa held a 18-12 lead at the half time break, however the Rotoiti stormed back into the match - with Whaka ace goal kicker Kelly Haimona having to slot two penalty goals late in the match, to see his side escape from defeat with shared points.

Rotoiti won the try scoring stakes with four touchdowns to three, with Zigfreid Fiishoi and Whakataki Cunningham both crossing twice, while Doug Edwards, Chris Miller and Hayden Baird touched down for the home side.

The second game where the scores were locked together when the referee signalled full time, took place at Rugby Park in Whakatane. The 32 all draw between Whakatane Marist and Mount Maunganui, reflected an outstanding effort from the home side that belied their status at the bottom of the point’s standings.

Whakatane served it up to one of the Premier front-runners from the start, and very relieved Mount side traipsed from the field in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Mount Maunganui coach Marty Bourke who laced up his boots to sit on the bench was rewarded with a try, with Andrew Stead (two) and Malakai Kisina also scoring five pointers.

While the final Tauranga Sports score of 23-12 over Opotiki suggested a comfortable home side victory, the reality was that the defending champions were involved in a dogfight to the end. Opotiki led 6 nil at the break courtesy of two penalties to Sam Howe, before Portugese fullback Nuno Penha E Costa, Jack Sutton and Lewis Hancock grabbed tries for Tauranga Sports.

Te Puke Sports scraped home against Te Puna 13-12, after trailing by four points at the break. Te Puna ran in two tries to Turoia Kuka and former Steamers half back Chad Tuoro, with Ben Ward grabbing a touchdown for Te Puke.

While Rangataua defeated Waikite 32-17 and picked up a bonus points – the Whaka draw with Rotoiti, ensured that Rangataua were eliminated from the race for the semi-final positions. A feature of the game was three tries to flying Rangataua winger Siaosi Iongi and a double to Matt Clutterbuck, with Jake Marsters also crossing twice for the visitors.

Division One leaders Te Teko were made to battle all the way in an Eastern Bay local derby, before defeating Paroa 27-20. Rangiuru who have left their charge up the points ladder too late to play post section rugby, again impressed when they despatched Marist St Michaels 29-3.

Second placed Greerton Marist re-inked their credential running away from Reporoa 52-3, Katikati also posted a big win defeating Ruatoki 53-12, with Ngongotaha proving too strong for Kahukura winning 30-9.

The Colts Championship semi-finalists were found with Te Puke Sports, Greerton Marist, Tauranga Sports and Te Puna, all posting the required victories to play further post section rugby. In Section Two Edgecumbe, Whakarewarewa and Waikite, will be joined by top qualifier Ruatoki to battle out the second echelon semi-finals.

Bay of Plenty Baywide Rugby Results 16 July 2011
Premier
Whakarewarewa 29 (Doug Edwards, Chris Miller, Hayden Baird, tries; Kelly Haimona 4 pen con) Rotoiti 29 (Whakataki Cunningham 2, Zigfreid Fiishoi 2, Maaka Royal tries; Cunningham 2 con) HT 18-12.

Rangataua 32 (Siaosi Iongi 3, Matt Clutterbuck 2 tries; Rory McConnochie 2 con pen) Waikite 17 (Jake Marsters 2 tries; Quaid Langeveltd pen con, Hamu Hudson con) HT 18-3.

Te Puke Sports 13 (Ben Ward try; Nick McCashin 2 pen con) Te Puna 12 (Turoia Kuka, Chad Tuoro tries, Tapene Mika con) HT 3-7.

Tauranga Sports 23 (Nuno Penha E Costa, Jack Sutton, Lewis Hancock tries; Nick Evemy pen con dg) Opotiki 12 (Sam Howe 4 pen) HT 0-6.

Mount Maunganui 32 (Andrew Stead 2, Malakai Kisina, Marty Bourke tries; Matt Golding 3 con pen, Sam Jurisich pen) Whakatane Marist 32

Points Table: Tauranga Sports 63, Te Puke 56, Mount Maunganui 55, Whakarewarewa 51, Rangataua 45, Opotiki 39, Rotoiti 33, Waikite 27, Te Puna 24, Whakatane Marist 21.

Division One: Katikati 53 Ruatoki 12, Te Teko 27 Paroa 20, Ngongotaha 30 Kahukura 9, Rangiuru 29 Marist St Michaels 5, Greerton Marist 52 Reporoa 3.

Colts (Section One) Te Puke Sports 38 Opotiki 25, Greerton Marist 34 Mount Maunganui 5, Tauranga Sports 37 Rangataua 7, Te Puna 25 Marist St Michaels 20 (Section Two) Edgecumbe 34 Whakatane Marist 31, Whakarewarewa 27 Rotoiti 15, Waikite won by default.