Tauranga Sports wrapped up the Bartercard Baywide Premier first round trophy, with a bonus point victory against Rotoiti on Saturday (21 May 2011), at the Tauranga Domain

While the final scoreline of 55-30 suggested an authoritative Tauranga Sports victory, the first half honours were with the Rotorua visitors. A narrow 15-11 half time lead to the home team, disappeared when Daryll Albert crashed over for Rotoiti two minutes into the second spell.

However a 30-metre break by Tauranga halfback Josh Hall, which resulted in touchdown under the posts turned the tide. A try apiece to Carl Axtens and Gaerth Brown mid way through the second half, stretched the home side advantage. Two further tries to Tauranga Sports, and two consolation Rotoiti touchdowns, saw the game finish with a 25-point win to the defending Baywide champions.

While Whakarewarewa defeated Rotorua archrivals Waikite in a battle of attrition at Whaka headquarters, they failed to match the Tauranga bonus point, which handed the Baywide first round trophy to the Western Bay side.

Waikite served it up to the home team from the opening whistle, and led 11-6 at the half way stage of the game. However two Whakarewarewa touchdowns by Akira Mako and a third try to Aleki Kisina in the second half – along with fifteen points from the boot of Kelly Haimona, gave the home side a hard fought 30-25 victory.

The Waikite points came from tries awarded to Tu Williams, Jermaine Webby and Pomare Karuana, with Quaid Langveldt kicking two penalty goals and two conversions.

Eastern Bay side Whakatane Marist, who were the big improver in the second half of the competition last season, grabbed their first win of the season. Zeke Hahi with two touchdowns, led the way for the Marist team as they posted a comprehensive five try 36-14 victory over Te Puna.

The other Whakatane try scorers were Daniel Bowater, Kiti Poanga and Tremaine Tutua, with ever-reliable goal kickers Craig Edwards, adding four conversions and a penalty.

Mount Maunganui moved into third place on the points table with a 27-21 win over Rangataua, with Te Puke Sports just holding out Opotiki 19-17, at Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke.

The surprise of the weekend, came in the Division One game at Katikati, with the home side providing Te Teko with their first defeat of the season. In what was a titanic battle, Katikati emerged victorious in front of large home crowd, to take out the encounter 19-17.

While Rangiuru got back on track with a solid 37-12 win against Reporoa, the other matches were all close encounters. Marist St Michaels ground out a 9-8 victory over Ngongotaha, Kahukura triumphed by a solitary point defeating Ruatoki 21-20, with Greerton Marist beating Paroa 25-20 in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The first round of the Colts Championship, resulted in Tauranga Sports reversing last weeks defeat by Opotoiki, when the home team won an entertaining contest 26-19 at the Tauranga Domain.

Defending Colts Champions Te Puke Sports re-inked their credentials, with a second successive victory over fellow Western Bay contenders Te Puna 31-5, after just sneaking home last week. Other section one teams to win, were Rangataua who upset Marist St Michaels 26-14, with Mount Maunganui getting past Greerton Marist 32-22.

Bay of Plenty Bartercard Baywide Results 21 May 2011
Premier:
Mount Maunganui 27 (Malaki Kiseni, Warren Smith, Tutere Waenga tries; Dan Waenga 3 con 2 pens) Rangataua 21 (Timoti Gardiner 2, Luke O’Brien tries; Rory McConnochie 2 con) HT 24-3.

Tauranga Sports 55 (Phil Burliegh, Josh Hohneck, Josh Hall, Carl Axtens, Gareth Brown, Lewis Hancock, Byron McGuigan tries; Chris Noakes 4 cons 4 pens) Rotoiti 30 (Sikeli Vorenasu, Daryl Albert, Beau Kiel, Sigfried Fisiihoi tries; S Vorenasu 2 pens 2 cons) HT 15-11.

Whakarewarewa 30 (Akira Mako 2, Aleki Kisina tries; Kelly Haimona 3 con 3 pens) Waikite 25 (Tu Williams, Jermaine Webby, Pomare Karuana tries; Quaid Langveldt 2 cons 2 pens). HT: 6-11.

Te Puke Sports 19 (Nick McCashin, Ryan Lambert tries; McCashin 3 pens) 19 Opotiki 17 (Joseph Howe, Tawhau Kurei, Hasley Moore tries; Sam How con) HT 7-11.

Whakatane Marist 36 (Zeke Nahi 2, Daniel Bowater, Kiti Poanga, Tremaine Tutua tries; Craig Edwards 4 cons pen) Te Puna 14 (Darrell Houia, Aiden Kuka tries, D Houia 2 pens)

Premier Points Table: Tauranga Sports 35. Whakarewarewa 34, Mount Maunganui 27, Rangataua 25, Te Puke Sports 25, Waikite 21, Opotiki 21, Rotoiti 20, Te Puna 10, Whakatane Marist 8.

Division One: Kahukura 21 Ruatoki 20, Marist St Michaels 9 Ngongotaha 8, Katikati 19 Te Teko 17, Greerton Marist 25 Paroa 20, Rangiuru 37 Reporoa 12.

Colts (Section One) Tauranga Sports 26 Opotiki 19, Mount Maunganui 32 Greerton Marist 22, Te Puke Sports 31 Te Puna 5, Rangataua 26 Marist St Michaels 14 (Section Two) Ruatoki 79 Whakarewarewa 3, Edgecumbe 12 Whakatane Marist 10, Waikite won be default.