Fletcher Carpenter goes over for the first of his two tries in Rangiuru's win over Rangataua. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Fletcher Carpenter goes over for the first of his two tries in Rangiuru's win over Rangataua. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Te Puke Sports held on to the fourth and final playoff spot after last weekend’s final round of Baywide rugby’s regular-season games.
A win at lowly-placed Rotoiti was enough to keep the Pirates ahead of Whakarewarewa, meaning their season will continue with a semifinal at table-toppers Te Puna’s Maramatanga Park on Saturday.
After conceding an early penalty, it was one-way traffic with Atutahi Henare, Rickie Harte, Wemin Kapia and Masiu Akuala all crossing the whitewash and Taine Craig-Ranga adding two conversions, all before the break.
Jayden Tane, Harte and Craig-Ranga scored second-half tries, with Craig-Ranga adding two more conversions and the extras added to Harte’s second by Jack Hollinshead. Rotoiti scored a consolation late in the game for a 45-8 scoreline.
The Maramatanga Park main attraction, between Te Puna and nine-time Baywide titleholders Tauranga Sports, was a close contest in the opening 40 minutes. Te Puna led 18-13 at the break, before cutting loose in the second half to score 31 points, to finish with a 49-20 win.
Defending champions Mount Maunganui re-inked their credentials with a 35-5 victory over Greerton Marist. The 30-point victory ensured Mount Maunganui retained the Jordan Cup, which is not up for grabs in post-season games.
Playing for pride - with the winner going ahead of the loser on the standings - Rangiuru beat Rangataua 38-29 at Te Ariki Park, with a late Fletcher Carpenter points flurry.
Kolinio Gonebale chases his own charge-down on the way to scoring for Rangiuru. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Rangataua scored two touchdowns in the opening 10 minutes, before the visitors asserted their authority with four tries, a forward effort opening the scoring before the backs took over with five-pointers to Carpenter, after a mesmerising break, Kolinio Gonebale, who charged down a clearing kick then regathered to score, and a long-range effort by Kane O’Connor.
Rangataua came back on the cusp of halftime with their third try, to see Rangiuru lead 28-19 at the break.
The hosts took a one-point lead into the final quarter, with Fletcher’s 10 points in the last 10 minutes sealing the win.
Judea can be well pleased with their season finish, posting their second consecutive victory, beating Katikati 24-10. Katikati will return to Western Bay rugby after finishing with the Baywide wooden spoon.
The second semifinal will be at Blake Park where the Mount will take on Tauranga Sports.
Te Puna Development also topped the table, this time in the Western Bay of Plenty Sub-Union competition, with an unbeaten record after a 19-19 draw with Tauranga Sports on Saturday was added to nine straight victories. Tauranga Sports’ Second XV finished the regular season with a remarkable three draws in their last five encounters.
Hinckley Siaosi stops a Rangataua attack. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
A second game where the two sides couldn’t be separated came in Eastern Districts’ home encounter with Arataki. Eastern Districts led 21-7 at the break, before Arataki came back hard to battle to a 24-24 draw. It was enough to give Eastern Districts a semifinal berth, and they will play Mount Development at Paengaroa on Saturday, with a 1pm kickoff.
The Rangataua versus Rangiuru development game also looked to be headed for a tied result, at 10 points each, with just three minutes left in the match. Rangiuru kicked a penalty goal, to lead by three, with the home side crossing for a touchdown in the last scoring movement of the game.
Katikati left it to their last game of the season to grab their first win in beating Judea 46-24, while Mount Maunganui beat Greerton Marist by 20 points, with Pāpāmoa defeating Matakana Island 24-12.
