Rugby: Western Bay Division One sides enjoy wins

Photo / File

Three of the Western Bay teams playing in the Baywide Division One competition made winning starts to their campaigns on Saturday.

Rangiuru squared off with new Baywide recruits Galatea at Centennial Park in Te Puke.

They were always in charge, posting a solid 38-7 win to take maximum points from the encounter. Rangiuru skipper and No8 Lester Roberts led his team by example, ensuring his charges stuck to their pre-match game plan.

Four weeks ago Katikati and Judea battled to a 20-20 draw. On Saturday, Judea grabbed early-season bragging rights to defeat Katikati 38-17 away at Moore Park.

Arataki had a real arm wrestle in Rotorua before claiming the win points on offer against Marist St Michael's.

They won a hard-fought battle 10-3 to get their goal of a return to the Baywide premier ranks next year under way.

Te Puke Sports Development side clung on to defeat Mount Maunganui at Blake Park. A Mount try on halftime to No8 Max McLean saw Te Puke lead 24-5 at the break.

Two further Mount touchdowns in the second half closed the score to 24-19 but Te Puke held on for the victory. Te Puke second five Jeff Smith-Lawson had a strong game with Mount Maunganui's Max McLean also in outstanding form. Mount management also praised Pera Gibbs, who has come to the Western Bay from Otago, and Willie Moore.

Greerton Marist proved too strong for Rotoiti in Rotorua at Emery Park, winning 36-10.

Te Puna kicked on from a halftime 29-10 lead to beat Rangataua 70-10 at Maramatanga Park, with Tauranga Sports beating Opotiki 72-5 in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Baywide Development: Whakatane Marist 29 v Waikite 17; Whakarewarewa 28 v Paroa 10; Te Puna 70 v Rangataua 10; Greerton Marist 36 v Rotoiti 10; Tauranga Sports 72 v Opotiki 5; Te Puke Sports 24 v Mt Maunganui 19.

Baywide Division One: Kahukura 16 v Ruatoki 12; Judea 38 v Katikati 17; Arataki 10 v Marist St Michael's 3; Rangiuru 38 v Galatea 7; Ngongotaha 22 v Reporoa 12; Te Teko 62 v Poroporo 13