Rugby: Tight finish but Te Puke stand firm

Te Puke Sports winger Gideon Uelesie tries to fend off his marker Philip Togatogarua in Saturday's big clash in Te Puke. Photo/George Novak

Te Puke Sports remain unbeaten after four rounds of the Bayfair Baywide Premier competition, a point ahead of surprise performers Whakarewarewa in second place.

The 31-26 win on their home pitch at Murray Salt Stadium against defending champions Tauranga Sport on Saturday was inspired by the assembled crowd of former players in town for the Te Puke's jubilee reunion.

The former players must have been impressed as the 2014 version manfully defended their line in the game's final stages.

Early tries to Nic Evemy and Kevin Harris gave Tauranga a 14-3 lead but from the kick off following Harris' try, Te Puke were allowed into the game when player of the match David Whitecliff-Davies strolled over untouched.

Whitecliff-Davies was the Auckland club player of the year in 2013 and made his ITM Cup debut for Auckland. He looks a superb acquisition to the loose forward mix for the Steamers and his aggressive tackling was a game highlight.

Tauranga opened out a 19-10 lead at the halftime break with another try to classy finisher Phillip Togatogarua after a clean line break by elusive fullback Lewis Hancock.

Typically, Te Puke came out fired up at the start of the second stanza. Chirpy halfback Andy Lee made a sharp break to set up a succession of rucks on Tauranga's line which finally paid off after a slick cut-out pass from young first-five Dan Hollinshead put Elliot Hagen in at the corner. Hollinshead slotted the conversion from the touchline and repeated the trick shortly after when Gideon Uelese slid over.

Te Puke stretched the lead to an imposing 31-19 after Sipa Moimoi joined in the try scoring, which was a direct result of keeping the ball in hand rather than the aimless chip kicking that blighted many promising moves.

Tauranga came storming back with a try to centre Aifai Esera to set up a nailbiting finish for the good sized crowd watching. They camped in the Te Puke 22 for the final four minutes, and after Te Puke had a player yellow carded, looked certain to score. But they dropped the ball going for the vital try and it was fitting that Whitecliff-Davies made a 40 metre break to ease the pressure.

Te Puke retained the Jordan Cup (Western Bay Challenge Trophy) won from Rangataua last weekend and will defend it against Te Puna at Maramatanga Park this afternoon.

Te Puke Sports 31 (David Whitecliff-Davies, Elliot Hagen, Gideon Uelese, Sipa Moimoi tries; Dan Hollinshead 4 cons, pen) Tauranga Sports 26 (Nic Evemy, Kevin Harris, Phillip Togatogarua, Aifai Esera tries; Geoff Berry 2 cons; Matty Cole con)