Rugby: Champs struggling to stay in touch

The competition is different this year.

A wild round of the Bayfair Baywide premier club rugby season has revealed a different competition than has been evident in recent years.

Defending champions Tauranga Sports' 37-3 hiding at the hands of Mount Maunganui leaves them on the outside of the playoff picture, tied on 30 competition points with Rotoiti in shared fifth place on a ladder suddenly congested in the middle.

Whakarewarewa's late try to Akiro Mako earned his side two bonus points in their 29-28 loss to Greerton Marist, with Rotoiti also picking up a pair of points thanks to a 23-23 draw with Rangiuru.

Rangataua let an opportunity slip in going down 31-20 at home to a Te Puna side that is beginning to gel, while competition leaders Te Puke Sports are five points clear of Mount Maunganui thanks to a 24-14 win against Opotiki.

The results mean just six points separate the teams in positions three through seven, though third-placed Whakarewarewa is guaranteed to bank another five points in today's Queen's Birthday round thanks to their pre-season 48-0 hiding of Opotiki.

Today's round looms as a possible crossroads for a number of teams.

Tauranga Sports suddenly need a win against Te Puna to keep in touch with the top four, while the men of Maramatanga Park will look to keep their three-match unbeaten streak alive.

A stalling Rotoiti need a win away from home to keep pace with the top four against a second-placed Mount Maunganui side that just might have the highest ceiling of any side on show, while Te Puke Sports will look to sustain their competition lead at home against Rangataua.

Just across the road, Rangiuru will aim for their first win of the season against Greerton Marist at Centennial Park.