Bay of Plenty club rugby followers were rushing for the record books, following round four of the Bartercard Baywide Premier championship on Saturday (4 July 2009) – after Rangatau and Whakarewarewa battled to a scoreless draw.

What made the result even more amazing, was that it was the Whaka Premiers third successive tied result, after draws with Tauranga Sports and Te Puke Sports in the previous two weekends.

The match was played out on a sodden field with a real battle between the two forward packs. There were few scoring opportunities, with just one kick at goal in eighty minutes of what was described as pulsating rugby.

Te Puke Sports cemented their position at the top of the point’s ladder, albeit by a solitary point. Facing traditional rivals Mount Maunganui at Blake Park the visitors made the early running, with Craig Donovan and Simon Chisholm grabbing touchdowns to lead 15 nil at the break.

A Mount comeback courtesy of tries to Lance MacDonald and Maka Tukuafu, which were both converted by Sam Jurisich, weren’t quite enough with the home side being defeated 15-14.

Defending Baywide champions Tauranga Sports beat Whakatane Marist, in an encounter that rose to no great heights. In a game where both teams were guilty of giving the ball to the opposition on several occasions, Tauranga Sports ground out a 16-6 victory, after leading 8-3 at the break.

Opotiki continued their top echelon resurgence posting a second successive win at home, defeating Rotoiti 13-8. The Eastern Bay side have been the big improvers in Baywide rugby in the last couple of seasons, going from the second echelon to contenders in the top grade.

The weekend results have resulted in a real logjam near the top of the point’s ledger. Te Puke Sports hold a three point advantage over Rangataua, with Whakarewarewa, Tauranga Sports and Mount Maunganui a further point in arrears.

Te Teko retained their unbeaten record, and the top spot in Division One, in a good battle with Waikite winning 21-12. Te Puna who are gunning for their second successive Div One final moved another step closer with a 22-17 win over Ngongotaha, with Reporoa and Greerton Marist also posting victories.

Marist St Michaels and Ruatoki who head the Division Two points ladder, look odds on favourites to make the semi-finals after victories on Saturday. The Marist side proved too good for Judea winning 25-5, while Ruatoki overcame a strong challenge from Papamoa to post a 26-10 victory.

Defending Div Two champions Paroa got out of the relegation zone defeating Rangiuru 16-13, with Eastern Districts continuing their recent good form beating Kawerau 28-14.

Katikati continued their charge to claim a Baywide second tier berth next season, over running Murupara 91 nil in Division Three, with Edgecumbe and Matakana Island also posting wins.

Colts front-runner Ngongotaha posted their twelfth win of the season when the defeated Te Puna 30-8. Second placed Rotoiti went down to Te Puke Sports 32-8, with contenders Whakarewarewa, Tauranga Sports and Opotiki also banking win points.

Bartercard Baywide Rugby Results 4 July 2009
Premier
Tauranga Sports 16 (Toby Arnold, Jason Karauria tries; Eruera Haimona 2pen) Whakatane Marist 6 (Max Bullivant 2pen).  HT: 8-3.
Te Puke 15 (Craig Donovan, Simon Chisholm tries; Simon Rolleston con pen) Mount Maunganui 14 (Lance MacDonald, Maka Tukuafu tries; Sam Jurisich 2con.  HT: 15-0.
Opotiki 13 (Dimitri Kurei, Joseph Howe tries; Sam Howe pen) Rotoiti 8 (Sekili Bola try;
Whakataki Cunningham con)
Rangataua 0 Whakarewarewa 0.
Points Table
Te Puke Sports 15, Rangataua 12, Mount Maunganui 11, Whakarewarewa 11, Tauranga Sports 11, Opotiki 8, Rotoiti 6, Whakatane Marist 2.

Division One: Te Puna 22 Ngongotaha 17, Greerton Marist 13 Kahukura 11, Reporoa 22 Arataki 6, Te Teko 21 Waikite 12.

Division Two: Paroa 16 Rangiuru 13, Eastern Districts 28 Kawerau 14, Ruatoki 26 Papamoa 10, Marist St Michaels 25 Judea 5.

Division Three: Edgecumbe 10 Apanui 0, Matakana Island 20 Galatea 15, Katikati 91 Murupara 0.

Colts: Opotiki 17 Greerton Marist 0, Taneatua 31 Rangataua 26, Ngongotaha 30 Te Puna 8, Tauranga Sports 24 Marist St Michaels 8, Te Puke Sports 32 Rotoiti 5, Te Teko 15 Waikite 5, Whakarewarewa 53 Whakatane Marist 3, Mount Maunganui won by default.