Rotoiti joined Tauranga Sports at the top of the Bartercard Baywide Premier points table, after they defeated the Tauranga visitors at Emery Park on Saturday (15 May 2010).

In what turned out to be a battle of attrition played in winter conditions for the first time this season, the home side sneaked home after leading 10-6 at the break. The only try of the rugged encounter came in the first half, when Siegfried Fisiihoi crossed for Rotoiti.

Three penalty goals from Tauranga Sports kicker Nick Evemy kept his side in the match – however Rotoiti got home 13-9, with the additional points coming from a conversion and a penalty to Whakataki Cunningham, and a dropped goal awarded to Sikeli Voranasu.

The Rotoiti victory provided Tauranga Sports, who are the defending Premier champions with their first defeat of the season. The two teams now share top billing on the points table, having established a nine point from third placed Mount Maunganui.

Whakatane Marist took to the wet conditions at Maramatanga Park like ducks to water, running in four tries on their way to defeating Te Puna 38-8.  The visitors grabbed their first touchdown after ten minutes, and were never headed in what was mainly one-way traffic.

Whakarewarewa continued their renaissance when they ran over Opotiki at Puarenga Park, running in six tries to win 42-10. Doubles to Himiona Marr and Doug Edwards led the way for the home side, with Whaka kicker Trent Vatselias slotting all six conversions attempts.

A bonus point reward for Mount Maunganui was the icing on the cake for the visitors, when they defeated Te Teko 27-10 in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Cory Aporo, Zion Nordstrom, Sam Mayes and Ted Tauroa crossed for the Mount touchdowns, with Dan Godbold grabbing a try for Te Teko.

Te Puke Sports repelled the challenge from fellow Western Bay side Rangataua 16-10. With a try apiece, the difference was a conversion and three penalty goals kicked by Te Puke’s Nick McCashin.

Waikite and Rangiuru continue to lead the Division One points ladder. Competition front-runner Waikite had a real arm wrestle with Ngongotaha before emerging with an 8-5 win, while Rangiuru got home against Reporoa 17-3 in Te Puke.

Other Div One teams to post wins were Greerton Marist who won the Marist derby with Rotorua side St Michaels 35-13, Ruatoki who got home by a solitary point from Kahukura 11-10, and Paroa who had little trouble with Arataki winning 32-10.

Baywide Colt’s leader Greerton Marist continued on their winning way, after a good tussle with Te Puna, winning 27-13. Tauranga Sports were made to battle for their victory over Marist St Michaels before emerging with a 19-14 win - with Opotiki, Ngongotaha, Mount Maunganui and Te Puke posting wins in the age group grade.

Bartercard Baywide Results 15 May 2010
Premier
Rotoiti 13 (Siegfried Fisiihoi try; Whakataki Cunningham pen con, Sikeli Voranasu dg) Tauranga Sports 9 (Nick Evemy 3pen).

Te Puke Sports 16 (Josh Harrison try; Nick McCashin 3pen con) Rangataua 10 (John Ririnui try, pen con).

Mount Maunganui 27 (Cory Aporo, Zion Nordstrom, Sam Mayes, Ted Tauroa tries; Sam Juricich con) Te Teko 10 (Dan Godbold try; Scott Sutherland con pen).

Whakatane Marist 38 (QJ Ohia, Steve Mapu, Baeden Wardlaw, Scott Sarginson tries; Craig Edwards 4pen 3con) Te Puna 8 (Darrell Houia try pen).

Whakarewarewa 42 (Himiona Marr 2, Doug Edwards 2, Hayden Baird, Pauli Asaeli tries; Trent Vatselias 6con) Opotiki 10 (Wayne Hurunui try; Te Hata Wilbore pen con).  HT:

Premier Points Table
Tauranga Sports 33, Rotoiti 33, Mount Maunganui 24, Te Puke Sports 23, Opotiki 22, Whakarewarewa 20, Te Puna 16, Rangataua 14, Whakatane Marist 12, Te Teko 7.

Division One:  Ruatoki 11 Kahukura 10, Greerton Marist 35 Marist St Michaels 13, Rangiuru 17 Reporoa 3, Waikite 8 Ngongotaha 5.

Colts: Greerton Marist 27 Te Puna 13, Tauranga Sports 19 Marist St Michaels 14, Ngongotaha 85 Whakatane Marist 0, Mount Maunganui 35 Te Teko 6, Opotiki 27 Whakarewarewa 0,Te Puke Sports on by default.