Rugby: Forwards lift Tauranga to victory

Te Puke Sports captain Tim Bond (left) challenges Tauranga Sports captain Carl Axtens in a lineout in Saturday's Baywide final. Photo / Andrew Warner

A dramatic improvement in the performance of their forward pack was the telling factor in Tauranga Sports beating Te Puke Sports 26-14 in the Bayfair Baywide Premier final on Saturday.

When Tauranga Sports trudged off the same pitch at Murray Salt Stadium on July 4, after receiving a humiliating hiding up front from Te Puke in an 18-3 defeat, it seemed they had little chance of stopping unbeaten Te Puke's run to the title.

But then regular hooker Alan McRobbie, Highlanders prop Pingi Tala'apitaga and Steamers lock Keepa Mewett became available and everything changed.

On Saturday the frustration on the Te Puke players' faces grew as they were unable to get their season-long physical domination going against Tauranga's pack well led by Steamers co-captain Carl Axtens.

Tauranga always had the sharper set of backs and with quality front football to play with, they relished the chance to express themselves.

But Te Puke took an early 5-3 lead after a poor clearance failed to find touch. Winger Declan Barnett fielded the clearance and sparked a swift attack across field that was well finished in the left corner by Curtis Deane. But that was the last time Te Puke led the game and it was Tauranga's left winger Jason Harvey who played a key role in winning the match. He made a scintillating break after 18 minutes through Te Puke's defence to set up Nick Evemy and the Steamers back scored in his 100th game for Tauranga.

Harvey before the break latched on to a poor defensive chip kick to sprint over for a useful 19-8 lead. With the last kick of the half, Te Puke's Dan Hollinshead kicked a fine penalty from 47 metres to close the deficit to 19-11 at the break.

Te Puke began with more energy and commitment in the second spell, camping inside the Tauranga half for nearly 20 minutes. But all they had to show for it was three points from Hollinshead as they could not break through Tauranga's heroic defence. When they finally broke out, Tauranga made the match-winning play, with slick passing among the backs creating space for Harvey to finish off in style for his second try.

The final was played in excellent spirit, credit due to the outstanding job by referee Jamie Bell and assistant referees George Haswell and Shane McDermott.

Tauranga Sports 26 (Jason Harvey 2, Nick Evemy tries; John Dodd con, 3 pens) Te Puke Sports 14 (Curtis Deane try; Dan Hollinshead 3 pens)