Te Puna pushed their way into the Bartercard Baywide Premier competition top four, with a bonus point victory over Whakarewarewa at Maramatanga Park on Saturday (17 April 2010).

The Western Bay side were in a strong position at the break leading 24-5, and went on to take out the match 32-13. While they had posted in two narrow losses in the competition start, the bonus points that they have accumulated, have put the blue and black brigade into third equal place with Mount Maunganui.

The four tries that Hori Leef, Taimania Tata, Aidan Kuka and Tapene Mika dotted down, ensued that Te Puna picked up their sixth bonus point in just four games. Barney Te Kani flew the flag for Whaka grabbing two tries and slotting a penalty goal.

Defending Premier titleholders Tauranga Sports, continued to lead the way in the championship race, with a solid 40-6 victory against Opotiki at the Tauranga Domain. The visitors took an early lead courtesy of two penalties kicked by Te Amo Wilbore – however it was mostly one-way traffic after the  first ten minutes of the encounter.

A double to Steamers loose forward Luke Braid led the way for the home side, who took a 18-6 lead into the break. The best try of the match came from flying winger Matt Hodson’s kick and chase, which slid into touch three metres from the line. A quick throw-in from Hodson to Tristan Moran, saw the prop stroll over to collect five points.

Rotoiti won a battle of attrition with Rangataua at Emery Park. The teams defended their line with determination - with Rangataua’s Barry Parkinson penalty goal the only scoring play of the first half. A try to David Fraser and three points from the boot of Whakataki Cunninghan, resulted in Rotoiti taking out an 8-3 victory.

Mount Maunganui continued their undefeated start to the season with a 44-17 win against a Whakatane Marist in the Eastern Bay. Seven tries to the visitors including a brace awarded to Dan Waenga, told the tale of the visitors superiority.

An extremely relieved Te Puke Sports walked from their home ground at Murray Salt Stadium, with a narrow 18-15 victory over a game Te Teko team.

The Division One feature game between home side Waikite and Rangiuru, who both took unbeaten records into the encounter – was taken out by Waikite who posted a 33-10 victory, to also pick up the Div One championship favourites mantle.

The three other second echelon games that were played, all went down to the wire. Greerton Marist and Kahukura finished with a 20 all draw, Reporoa sneaked past Marist St Michaels 19-18 with Ngongotaha shading Paroa 16-14.

Defending Colts champions Ngongotaha were held to a 17 all draw with Rotoiti in the curtain-raiser at Emery Park. Greerton Marist surged to the top of the Colts competition points ladder with a 36-5 win against Te Teko - with Tauranga Sports, Te Puna, Mount Maunganui, Te Puke Sports and Marist St Michaels all banking win points.

Bartercard Baywide Rugby Results 17 April 2010
Premier
Tauranga Sports 40 (Luke Braid 2, Steven Honey, Tristan Moran, Matt Hodson, Jason Karauria tries; Nic Evemy 2con pen, Hodson dg) Opotiki 6 (Te Amo Wilbore 2 pens). HT: 18-6.
 
Te Puna 32 (Hori Leaf, Taimania Tata, Aidan Kuka, Tapene Mika tries; Darrell Houia 2pen 3con) Whakarewarewa 13 (Barney Te Kani 2 tries, pen). HT: 24-5.
 
Rotoiti 8 (David Fraser try; Whakataki Cunningham pen) Rangataua 5 (Barry Parkinson try).  HT: 3-5.
 
Te Puke Sports 18 (Dillon Lee, Nathan Burt, Simon Chisholm tries; Nic McCashin pen) Te Teko 15 (Luke O'Brien, Anthony Studer tries; Scott Sutherland pen con).
 
Mount Maunganui 44 (Dan Waenga 2, Sam Mayes, Malakai Kisina, Troye Elvin, Cory Aporo, Tutere Waenga tries; Dan Waenga pen 3con) Whakatane Marist 17 (Simon Kolo'ofa'i, QJ Ohia tries; Craig Edwards 2con pen). HT: 20-10.

Points Table: Tauranga Sports 18, Rotoiti 15, Mount Maunganui 14, Te Puna 14, Opotiki 11, Te Puke Sports 10, Whakatane Marist 6, Te Teko 6, Whakarewarewa 5, Rangataua 4.
 

Division one: Waikite 33 Rangiuru 10, Reporoa 19 Marist St Michaels 18, Greerton Marist 20 Kahukura 20, Ngongotaha 16 Paroa 14, Ruatoki won by default.
 
Colts: Rotoiti 17 Ngongotaha 17, Tauranga Sports 29 Opotiki 19, Te Puna 11 Whakarewarewa 5, Mount Maunganui 54 Whakatane Marist 0, Marist St Michaels 14 Rangataua 10, Greerton Marist 36 Te Teko 5, Te Puke Sports won by default.