Rugby: Te Puke topple Tauranga

Rotoiti are looking good to make the Baywide semifinals in a fortnight's time. Pictured is Rotoiti player Beau Kiel. Photo / Stephen Parker

Te Puke Sports took all the spoils from the battle of the two unbeaten teams in the Bayfair Baywide premier competition on Saturday.

The 18-3 win over Tauranga Sports was set up by Te Puke's powerful forward pack that gave the season-long competition leaders a mauling up front.

The muddy pitch at Te Puke's Murray Salt Stadium helped their forward domination.

Te Puke played in pink, to support breast cancer research, in front of a bumper crowd and were clearly the more motivated of Bay of Plenty's two top club teams.

The game was as good as over at halftime with Te Puke ahead 15-3 after two identical rolling maul tries finished off by their top class No 8 Eru Wano-Smith.

Te Puke Sports coach Craig Jeffries credits Te Puke's outstanding scrummaging to former Crusader and Highlander flanker Jake Paringatai, who has made a big impact on and off the field this season.

"We have put a big emphasis on set piece and Jake Paringatai coming into our group this year had added so much in that area," Jeffries said.

"His ability to coach a scrum has been a massive part."

Tauranga Sports coach Mike Rogers was gracious in defeat, refusing to use the unavailability of three key tight forwards for the hammering his team received up front.

Meanwhile, Mount Maunganui became the third team to secure their spot in the play-offs with an important 34-19 victory over Greerton.

The bonus-point win came as bad news for Rotorua club side Whakarewarewa.

Fifth-placed Whaka also won with a bonus point on Saturday 40-26 against a good Whakatane Marist team, but are now out of reach of third-placed Mount Maunganui.

There is only one round left in the regular season and they need Rotoiti to slip up next weekend against Rangataua (away) if they are to play in the semifinals in a fortnight.

Fourth-placed Rotoiti were ruthless on Saturday as they continued their march towards the play-offs with a huge 85-0 win over Paroa.

Rotoiti's Matt Landers scored five tries during the game.