Reporoa captain Phil Rameka led his team to back-to-back reserve grade titles on Saturday. Photo / Ben Fraser
Reporoa captain Phil Rameka led his team to back-to-back reserve grade titles on Saturday. Photo / Ben Fraser
The Reporoa Razorbacks have won back-to-back reserve grade titles in the Bay of Plenty Coastline rugby league competition.
The Razorbacks were too good for the Otumoetai Eels reserve team on Saturday, winning 34-22 at Puketawhero Park.
The victory means Reporoa were the only team from the Rotorua region in anymen's division - in either league or union - to claim a Baywide title this season.
Reporoa coach Doug Unuwai, who coached the Pikiao premier side to a grand final victory last season, said he was very happy with his team's performance.
He said many players had to revolve their league around working on farms in Reporoa, but still managed to come out on top at the end of the season.
"It is a hard bunch to get used to, but once you get to know their status and work situations everything comes right," he said. "They just carried on from last year ... it was awesome."
He said it was special to go from third place at the end of the regular season to winning the competition.
Reporoa, led by captain Phil Rameka and Dennis Newton-Phillips, raced out to a good lead and were up 28-8 at the halftime break. Despite a short comeback from the Eels, the result never looked in doubt.
Image 1 of 15: Reporoa Razorbacks celebrate their Bay of Plenty/Coastline reserve grade final win over the Otumoetai Eels at Puketewhero Park on Saturday Photo/Ben Fraser
Meanwhile, in the Division One final, the Forestland Falcons (Tokoroa) beat the Putauaki Stags (Kawerau) 54-4 on Saturday.
-Reporoa 34 (Hohepa Te Kauru, Werohia Rika, Warwick Hepi, Dennis Newton-Phillips, Wally Barnes, Anthony Kiff tries; Shaun Phillips 5 con). Otumoetai 22 (Buddy Wirori 2, Keanu Smith, Ryan Wilson, Tane Taitoko tries; Xavier Kaweroa con).
