While the race for the Bartercard Baywide Premier title still has three months to run, results on Saturday (1 May 2010) suggest that there will be a real dogfight to reach the semi-finals. Just four points separate the third to seventh placed sides, after six rounds of this seasons top echelon.

Defending champions Tauranga Sports had a real fight to retain their unbeaten season record, when they met near neighbours Rangataua at the Tauranga Domain. While Tauranga scored three tries to Steve Honey, Matt Hodson, Afai Esera to a double by Rangataua’s Ashley Mason, they just sneaked home 19-17.

The visitors could only rue the four missed attempts at goal, including two that hit the posts. The Tauranga Sports victory resulted in the Jordan Cup (Western BOP challenge trophy) changing hands for the first time this season.

The quite achiever of the Baywide top division has been Rotoiti, who cemented second place with a solid 39-17 win over Whakatane Marist, at Emery Park. While the Eastern Bay side never gave up the fight grabbing three touchdowns, Rotoiti were in charge throughout most of the game after leading 17-5 at the half way break.

Wahakarewarewa continued their return to form with good battle with Te Teko before prevailing 31-23. Mount Maunganui grabbed a narrow win getting past Te Puna at Maramatanga Park 17-13, while Te Puke Sports also had a close contest getting home against Opotiki 23-20.

Division One front runner Waikite were made to fight for their victory over Paroa, posting a 26-14 win at Bellvue Road. Second placed Rangiuru were in rampant form demolishing Arataki 74-5.

Greerton Marist could only rue lost opportunities, after leading Ngongotaha 24-15 at the half way stage of their game at Greerton Park. Ngongotaha scored 22 unanswered points in the second spell to take out the encounter 37-25.

Ruatoki bounced back from defeat last weekend to get past Reporoa 20-7, with Marist St Michaels upsetting near neighbors Kahukura 20-17.

Greerton Marist confirmed their credentials as genuine Colts championship contenders, when the met defending champions Ngongotaha, at Greerton Park. A decisive 29-10 victory, provided evidence that the Western Bay side is the team to beat in the Bay age group competition.

The curtain raiser at Emery Park turned into a battle of attrition with Rotoiti just getting past Whakarewarewa 19-15. Other Colts sides to post victories were Te Puna, Tauranga Sports, Te Puke Sports and Mount Maunganui.

Bartercard Baywide Rugby Results 1 May 2010
Premier
Rotoiti 39 (Whakataki Cunninghan, Daryl Albert, Elijah Wilson-Haira, Zac
Hohneck, Siegfried Fisihoi, Samiu Tavake tries; Cunningham 3 con) Whakatane
Marist 19 (Piniaha McNeil, Baeden Wardlow, Simon Kolo'ofai tries; Greg Smith
con). HT: 17-5.

Whakarewarewa 31  (Paula Asaeli 2, Doug Edwards, Trent Vatselias, Himiona
Marr tries; Vatselias 2 con, Barney Te Kani con) Te Teko 23  (Bless Ngahue,
Luke O'Brien, Te Ariki Henry tries; JJ Rereti 2pen, con). HT: 19-11.

Tauranga Sports 19 (Steve Honey, Matt Hodson, Afai Esera tries; Nic Evemy 2
con) Rangataua 17 (Ashley Mason 2 tries; John Ririnui 2con pen).

Te Puke Sports 23 (David Whitecliffe-Davies, Simon Chisholm tries; Nic
McCashin 3pens 2cons) Opotiki 20 (Freeman Edwardson, Kevin Waterson, Matt Henwood tries; Sam Howe pen con)

Mount Maunganui 17 (Cory Aporo, Andy Devoy, Malakai Kasini tries; Peter Maisey con) Te Puna 13 (John Pareanga, John Brown tries; Daryl Houia pen).  HT: 10-8.

Premier Points Table
Tauranga Sports 27, Rotoiti 24, Mount Maunganui 18, Opotiki 17, Te Puna 15, Te Puke Sports 15, Whakarewarewa 14, Rangataua 9, Whakatane Marist 7, Te Teko 7.

Division One:  Waikite 26 Paroa 14, Marist St Michaels 20 Kahukura 17, Ruatoki 20 Reporoa 7, Rangiuru 74 Arataki 5, Ngongotaha 37 Greerton Marist 24.

Colts: Rotoiti 19 Whakarewarewa 15, Te Puna 88 Whakatane Marist 0, Tauranga Sports 29 Rangataua 11, Te Puke Sports 18 Opotiki 13, Mount Maunganui 11 Marist St Michaels 7, Greerton Marist 29 Ngongotaha 10.