Rugby: Roger Cairns helps lead Judea to promised land

Braydon Pompey scores for Judea against Te Teko on Saturday. Photo / Merle Seeling

Two years ago, Judea were going round in the Western Bay reserve competition.

Fast forward to May 2016 and the royal blue and white brigade based at Maharaia Winiata Park have hit the top of the standings in Baywide Division One.

Predictions of a close contest against Eastern Bay visitors Te Teko at Judea headquarters on Saturday were well astray, as Judea gave Te Teko a lesson in the seven-tries-to-two victory.

Leading 26-8 at the halfway stage of the encounter, the home side went on to take out a 40-15 win. The Judea touchdowns went to Braydon Pompey, Henry Anderson, Roger Cairns, Simon Anderson, Harding Leef, Kiriparara Heke and L'Angelle Tutapakore, with Simon Anderson converting four tries. Cairns was rewarded for his outstanding work during the game, being named Judea's player of the day.

Rangiuru are also well placed on the standings after defeating division one front-runner Ngongotaha at Centennial Park in Te Puke. The Te Puke-based side dug deep to take out the encounter 24-22. Katikati had a good tussle with Marist St Michaels before going down 24-15, with Papamoa losing 0-36 to Waikite.

Te Puke Sports Development team seized the lead in the development title race, getting past Tauranga Sports 22-20 at Tauranga Domain. The encounter was a replay of last season's championship final won by Te Puke Sports, and re-inked Te Puke Sports' credentials as the team to beat.

Te Puna caused a minor upset, beating Whakatane Marist in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. With Te Puna trailing by nine with five minutes left, a penalty goal and a converted try to Hex Tamihere gave them a narrow 37-36 victory.

Rangataua posted back-to-back victories, when they defeated Greerton Marist 23-13 in the early game at Te Ariki Park. Arataki moved into fifth place after getting past Whakarewarewa 33-5, while Mount Maunganui scored 25 unanswered points against Paroa.

Tauranga Sports lead the Western Bay reserve title race, after they defeated Mount Maunganui Colts 33-12 in early action at the Tauranga Domain.

Eastern Districts and Greerton Marist Colts drew 24-all, Te Puna beat Matakana Island 17-15 and Greerton Marist romped away from Judea 36-0.

Results:

Division One: Judea 41 Te Teko 15, Marist St Michaels 24 Katikati 15, Rangiuru 24 Ngongotaha 22, Waikite 36 Papamoa 5.

Points (provisional): Judea 27, Poroporo 26, Ngongotaha 26, Waikite 23, Rangiuru 22, Te Teko 19, Marist St Michaels 18, Katikati 10, Kahukura 10, Ruatoki 8, Papamoa 5.

Development: Rangataua 23 Greerton Marist 13, Te Puna 37 Whakatane Marist 36, Mount Maunganui 25 Paroa 0, Te Puke Sports 22 Tauranga Sports 20, Arataki 33 Whakarewarewa 5,

Points (provisional): Te Puke Sports 38, Tauranga Sports 36, Whakatane Marist 33, Mount Maunganui 33, Arataki 31, Te Puna 21, Rangataua 14, Whakarewarewa 11, Greerton Marist 10, Rotoiti 10, Opotiki 8, Paroa 3.

Senior Reserve: Eastern Districts 24 Greerton Marist Colts 24, Te Puna 17 Matakana Island 15, Tauranga Sports 33 Mount Maunganui Colts 12, Greerton Marist 36 Judea 0.