Rugby: Big win for in-form Whaka

Whaka player Chanse Perham (with ball) scored two tries for his club during a 46-17 win over Rangataua on Saturday. Photo/Ben Fraser

Whakarewarewa coach Ngarimu Simpkins has labelled his team's 46-17 win over Rangataua as the most pleasing of the season.

Whaka simply outclassed Rangataua on Saturday away from home, running in five tries in the first half.

They now sit third on the Baywide premier ladder with only five games remaining.

Meanwhile, Rotoiti's season looks to be coming to an early end after the team lost an important match to Greerton Marist 39-17 on Saturday.

Mathematically they can still make the top four but it will be a big ask.

Simpkins said he could not have asked for more from his Whakarewarewa players on Saturday.

"It was probably the most pleasing performance of the season, from a coach's perspective."

He said unlike some of their results this year, they fully deserved the big win against Rangataua.

"We are not getting ahead of ourselves but we showed glimpses of being a great team on Saturday."

He said they had set some goals for the rest of the season.

The biggest one was making the top four. Another was not losing at home again this year, despite remaining matches against some of the top teams in the competition including title contenders Tauranga Sports, Mount Maunganui and Te Puke.

"They are games we have targeted to win," he said. "It is very important that we play well at home in front of our people."

Whakarewarewa got off to a great start on Saturday when captain Doug Edwards broke the line and set up Jason Harvey for the opener.

Whaka scored four more tries in the first half, taking a 25-3 lead into the break before finishing the game off with three more tries in the second half.

The only downside to the win on Saturday was a potentially season-ending injury to Whaka lock Daniel Ngawhika, who was stretchered off in the first half.

Rangataua 17 (Alex Jessop, Matua Parkinson tries; Edd Poynter 2 con, pen) lost to Whakarewarewa 46 (Riiki Waitoa 2, Chanse Perham 2, Jason Harvey, Siegfried Fisiihoi, Whaimotu Craft-Chemis, Harold Koia tries; Te Rangi Fraser 3 con). Greerton Marist 39 defeated Rotoiti 17 (Joe Royal 2 tries; Trevor Fitzell 2 con, pen).