Rugby: Tauranga shine in entertaining match

Tauranga Sports' centre Aifai Esera crashes into the Rangataua defence at the Tauranga Domain on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rugby fans sick of watching collapsed scrums in Super Rugby matches on television should consider going to a club rugby game.

For try scoring, passion and a commitment to run the ball the game on Saturday between Tauranga Sports and Rangataua Sports had it all.

Tauranga ran away in the final quarter at the Tauranga Domain to win 60-22 and remain unbeaten in the pre-Baywide warm-up round. But Rangataua offered plenty of resilience and fought back well from an early deficit.

Rangataua had the better of the first 14 minutes, dominating field position and asking questions of the Tauranga defensive line. But Tauranga's new first-five John Dodd, who last year played in Russia and was in the Auckland system a few years ago, broke the deadlock with a smartly taken try. Dodd ended the game with 23 points and looks a useful acquisition to Bay of Plenty's first-five stocks.

Another newcomer to premier rugby this season is Tauranga fullback Jesse Dodunski, who came through the development team system.

His first half try was an absolute peach with a dazzling turn of speed and a classic swerve reminiscent of a young Christian Cullen.

Tauranga led 22-5 at halftime. Rangataua winger Tute Grant scored two quick tries from intercepts to get his team within three points at 22-19 but that was as close as they got as Tauranga piled on the points in the final quarter to romp home.

Rangataua captain Matt Clutterbuck said a lack of combinations and time together showed in the end.

"We haven't had the best numbers at training so have not been able to prepare very well," he said. "I think it is a positive loss if there is such a thing. We were in there for 70 minutes and had done some good work to come back into the game.

"We still have a few guys to come back from injury. The focus is on the Baywide comp which is the big one for us but every time you represent your club you are representing your people and want to put in a big performance."

-Tauranga Sports 60 (John Dodd 2, Tom Allen, Philip Togatogarua, Jesse Dodunski, Josh Hall, Nick Evemy, Hamish Gosling, penalty try; Dodd 6 cons, pen) Rangataua Sports 22 (Tute Grant 2, Carlin Tata tries; Grant 2 cons, John Ririnui pen)