Rugby: Semifinalists found after wild weekend of action

Whakarewarewa players celebrate their close-fought win over Mount Maunganui on Saturday.Photo/Ben Fraser

A wild weekend of wet weather footy has finally found four semifinalists in the Bayfair Baywide premier club rugby competition.

Five sides were left in contention coming into the final weekend, with Greerton Marist ultimately left the odd men out following a tight 16-5 loss to defending champions Tauranga Sports at Tauranga Domain.

Te Puke Sports locked up top spot and waved goodbye to relegated Rangiuru with a 43-3 win, leaving the match between Whakarewarewa and Mount Maunganui at Puarenga Park to determine where each would be travelling the following weekend.

A strong northerly and terrible conditions made the match a battle of attrition, with the home side squeaking home in a game featuring only one try.

That fell to Leighton Simpkins, who took advantage of a clever Whaimotu Craft-Chemis chip kick and Mount Maunganui indecision, to gather a bobbling ball to score 15 metres in from touch.

Whakarewarewa's Te Rangi Fraser judged the wind beautifully to draw the conversion through from outside the right hand upright to make it 7-0 midway through the first 40.

Neither team could score additional points before the break, setting up a tight finish between two sides hearing mixed reports from Greerton Marist's match against Tauranga Sports.

The Mount had much the better of the second half but had just a Cayden Matahaere penalty to show for all their endeavour.

Last season's beaten finalists turned down numerous penalty shots at goal in lieu of using their lineout down the stretch, but found an opposition more than willing to tackle and dig in close to their line. The result, which will see Mount Maunganui travel to play Te Puke and Whakarewarewa away to Tauranga Sports in the semifinals, should see both sides ready for knockout footy this weekend.

Te Puna finished their season in style by running in nine tries against Rotoiti, while Rangataua beat Opotiki 21-17.