Rugby: Whaka derail early push by Arataki

Whaka's Te Rangi Fraser in action against Arataki. Photo / Stephen Parker

Arataki ran in three tries but hit the Whakarewarewa freight train, who have posted nearly 200 points in the opening three rounds of the Baywide Premier Two championship.

Arataki were right in the encounter at halftime, trailing 22-7, before the home side kicked away to post a 67-21 victory.

Paea Lavaka dotted the ball down twice for Arataki, with Reece McDonald scoring a try and converting all three tries.

Two of the McDonald conversions were from right on the sideline.

Judea, who were unlucky to miss a place in the Premier Two championship, lead the Division One title race after putting Katikati to the sword at Maharaia Winiata Park. The Royal Blue and White brigade took control from the start and finished the encounter with a 41-5 win.

Rangiuri moved back into the top four with a hard-fought 10-5 victory over Ruatoki at Centennial Park in Te Puke, while Papamoa continued their second half season renaissance when they defeated Edgecumbe 12-8 in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The Development One title race has a new look after results were posted on Saturday.

Te Puna now sit at the top of the standings courtesy of their third successive victory after beating Rangataua 38-15. Defending Development titleholders Te Puke Sports lost for the first time in the 2016 rugby year when Mount Maunganuiwon the curtain-raiser at Blake Park 21-12.

Other Western Bay Development sides to win were Greerton Marist and Tauranga Sports. Greerton won the Marist battle against Whakatane 22-15, while Tauranga Sports ran over Rotoiti 49-3 in the early game at the Tauranga Domain.

Eastern Districts gave Murupara their first loss of the Division Two competition by 23-20 and are well placed in the Baywide promotion series, sitting in third equal position on the standings.

Arataki are just three points from the lead in second place in the Development Two competition. A 33-21 win over Whakarewarewa in Rotorua sees the Western Bay sole representatives well placed to earn a semifinal spot in late July.

Western Bay of Plenty Reserve Grade champions Tauranga Sports continued their winning ways when they got past Greerton Marist in the Western Bay competition, posting a 17-7 win.

Greerton Marist Colts continued their successful step up to senior club rugby, beating Matakana Island 36-17 in a high scoring encounter at Greerton Park. Mount Maunganui Colts returned to winning form when they got past Te Puna in early action at Blake Park.

Bay of Plenty Rugby results Saturday:

Premier Two: Whakarewarewa 67 Arataki 21 (Paea Lavaka 2, Reece McDonald tries; Reece McDonald 3 con) HT 22-7

Points Table: Whakarewarewa 15, Paroa 13, Poroporo 10, Opotiki 8, Arataki 6, Marist St Michaels 4, Waikite 2, Ngongotaha 1.

Division One: Rangiuru 10 Ruatoki 5, Judea 41 Katikati 5. Papamoa 12 Edgecumbe 8.

Points Table: Judea 14, Te Teko 11, Kahukura 9, Rangiuru 9, Papamoa 9, Ruatoki 2, Katikati 1, Edgecumbe 1,

Division Two: Eastern Districts 23 Murupara 20.

Points Table: Murupara 11, Waimana 10, Reporoa 9, Eastern Districts 9, Te Teko 9, Matata 5, Taneatua 1, Eastern Pirates 0.

Development One: Greerton Marist 22 Whakatane Marist 15, Tauranga Sports 49 Rotoiti 3, Mount Maunganui 21 Te Puke Sports 12, Te Puna 38 Rangataua 15.

Points Table: Te Puna 15, Mount Maunganui 14, Te Puke Sports 10, Whakatane Marist 6, Tauranga Sports 6, Greerton Marist 5, Rangataua 4, Rotoiti 1.

Development Two: Arataki 33 Whakarewarewa 21.

Points Table: Opotiki 15, Arataki 12, Waikite 10, Poroporo 9, Whakarewarewa 7, Paroa 5, Marist St Michaels 2, Ngongotaha 1.

WBOPRFS Senior Reserve: Greerton Marist Colts 36 Matakana Island 17, Tauranga Sports 17 Greerton Marist 7, Mount Maunganui Colts defeated Te Puna, Judea the bye.

Baywide Women's results, Sunday:

Waikite 61 v Tauranga Sports 0, Rotoiti 29 v Te Whanau Apanui 15, Tokoroa 33 v Waimana 17, Rangiuru 83 v Arataki 0