Tauranga Sports posted a come from behind victory, in the first round of the Bartercard Baywide Premier competition, when they defeated Te Puke Sports 27-17 in a replay of last year’s premier grand final.

While defending Baywide premier champions Tauranga Sports, took a 10-6 lead into the half-time break – Te Puke hit the lead in the second spell, before the visitors ran in two tries late in the match, to grab a dramatic victory. The first round Tauranga victory follows last years Baywide final stanza, where they also prevailed 31-23.

A fast paced affair at Maramatanga Park resulted in Rotoiti grabbing a narrow 31-27 win from home side Te Puna. The visitors scored first when Josevata Tawaka touched down, and they led 12-10 at the break.

A second try to Heywood Kuka early in the second forty minutes, gave Te Puna a narrow lead, before Rotoiti stormed back with three tries to post a sixteen-point advantage. However a solid finish from Te Puna who ran in two late tries, saw Rotoiti return home with a four point victory.

In a day of close contests, the match-up in Opotiki between the home side and Mount Maunganui, resulted in the two teams being unable to be separated at full time. With three tries apiece, along with ten points the boots of Opotiki’s Sam Howe and Sam Jurisich from the Mount, saw the game result in a 25 all draw.

In Rotorua Baywide heavyweight Whakarewarewa just got home from Rangataua 17-16, with the local; Eastern Bay derby resulting in Te Teko edging past Whakatane Marist 18-14.

In Division One Rangiuru made their season intentions clear, when they swept past former top echelon side Kahukura 50-16. Bob Moorhead has returned to duty to coach the Te Puke based side, who look early contenders for championship honours later in the season.

Two former Baywide heavyweights both posted substantial victories. Waikite defeated Greerton Marist 36-15, with Ngongotaha posting a 45-7 win over Arataki in the Western Bay. Other Div one teams to win, were Ruatoki who beat Marist St Michaels 31-5, while Paroa had a good battle with Reporoa before prevailing 15-10 in Reporoa.

Last seasons Colts champions Ngongotaha, showed that they would be seeking back to back titles, comprehensively defeating Te Teko 49-7. The Western Bay derby between Tauranga Sports and Te Puke Sports, was taken out by the Te Puke side who won 21-7.

Whaka Colts proved too good for Rangataua winning 46-12, with Te Puna, Mount Maunganui and Greerton Marist also entering victories into their ledger card.

Bay of Plenty Bartercard Baywide Rugby Results 27 March 2010
Premier:
Rotoiti 31 (Joeevata Tawaka, Clayton Cassidy, Daryll Albert, Siegfried Fiishoii, Whakataki Cunningham tries; Cunningham 3 cons) Te Puna 27 (Heywood Kuka 2, Tajohn Malata, Tapine Mika, Daniel Schuster tries; Tarzan Faulkner con) HT 12-10
Tauranga Sports 27 (Tristian Moran 2, Nick Evemy tries; Brendan Clark 3con 2pen) Te Puke Sports 17 (Andrew Tuise try; Nick McCashin 4pen).  HT: 10-6.
Whakarewarewa 17 (Aleki Kisina, Harold Koia tries; Barney Te Kani 2con pen) Rangataua 16 (Akira Mako try; John Ririnui 3pen). HT: 10-0.
Te Teko 18 (Ray Forbes, Luke O’Brien, Anthony Studer tries; Ariki Henry pen) Whakatane Marist 14 (Craig Edwards 2; Edwards 2 cons)
Opotiki 25 (Freeman Edwardson, Darcy Croswell, Te Hata Wilbore tries; Sam Howe 2 pen 2 cons) Mount Maunganui 25 (Sam Jurisich, Chad Jacobs, M Kisina tries; Jurisich 2 pen 2 cons)

Division One: Ngongotaha 45 Arataki 7, Ruatoki 31 Marist St Michaels 5, Waikite 36 Greerton Marist 15, Paroa 15 Reporoa 10, Rangiuru 50 Kahukura 16.

Colts: Te Puna 27 Rotoiti 7, Mount Maunganui 18 Opotiki 10, Greerton Marist 85 Whakatane Marist 0, Whakarewarewa 46 Rangataua 12, Ngongotaha 49 Te Teko 7, Marist St Michaels won by default.