Rugby: Rangataua win cup and put end to Mount run

Junior Tofa-Va'a makes a break for Te Puke Sports past Rotoiti hooker Joe Royal. Photo/George Novak

Rangataua not only ended Mount Maunganui's four game winning streak on Saturday but they also grabbed the Jordan Cup (Western BOP Sub-Union Challenge Trophy) for good measure.

The home side opened the scoring after 10 minutes, when Rangataua first five Alex Jessop crossed for the try with Daiyu Ishimori nailing the conversion, to give the hosts a lead they never surrendered throughout the encounter.

Two penalties from Ishimori and a penalty goal from Mount's Cayden Matahere, saw Rangataua take a 13-3 advantage into the half time break.

Mount Maunganui's sole try came after 10 minutes of the second half when Zar Lawrence crossed for the five pointer. The two teams traded penalties before Alex Jessop intercepted the ball to score out wide on full time, to give Rangataua a 21-11 victory.

With one game remaining in the first round of the Baywide premier title race, Te Puke Sports have one hand on the first round trophy, with just bottom-placed Rangiuru standing in their way next weekend.

Te Puke Sport continued their run at the top of the standings with a hard fought 12-9 home win against Rotoiti, who moved to fourth on the table.

There was little between defending Baywide champions Tauranga Sports and Opotiki at halftime, with the Western Bay side leading 13-11.

Two further Tauranga Sports tries resulted in the home team posting a 23-11 victory, with the four tries to Phillip Togotogorua (2), Ralulu Bavou and Brad Nickell giving Tauranga Sports a valuable bonus point. Greerton Marist cemented their position in the middle of the standings when they beat Te Puna 25-8, while Whakarewarewa grabbed back a place in the top four with a 10 try 64-17 win over Rangiuru.