Rugby: Visitors go on offensive in second spell

Arataki (black) moved back into the Baywide Division 1 top four with a win away at Judea on Saturday. Photo / Merle Seeling

While Judea trailed Arataki by just two points at 7-5, at halftime in the Baywide Division One match at Maharaia Winiata Park, the visitors went on the offensive in the second spell to take home a 29-12 win. Judea's cause wasn't helped in the second half when they were reduced to 13 players courtesy of two yellow cards.

However, they never gave up the fight and went close to crossing the try line on a couple of occasions in the second 40 minutes. The Judea tries were scored by Braydon Pompey and Jamie Tukaokao with a conversion slotted by Simon Anderson. The Judea Player of the Day was Rana Kapene-Paitai.

The Arataki victory has propelled them back into the top four, while Judea can be well pleased in their return to the second echelon of Baywide rugby this season.

Rangiuru cemented their place at the top of the table getting past Katikati 37-16 at Centennial Park in Te Puke.

However, Rangiuru's biggest challenge of the season will come next weekend when they square off with second-placed Te Teko in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Tauranga Sports and Te Puke Sports steamrolled their opponents in the Baywide Development competition on Saturday. Tauranga Sports ran over Whakatane Marist 85-15, while Te Puke Sports were too strong for fourth place Greerton Marist posting 40 unanswered points.

Mount Maunganui cemented third place with a 78-14 win over Rangataua, with Te Puna getting their fourth win of the season, courtesy of a 36-14 victory over Whakarewarewa in Rotorua.

The biggest battle of the Baywide Development season will come next weekend when Tauranga Sports and Te Puke Sports take their unbeaten records into their clash at Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke.