Rugby: Whaka bundled out of final spot

Baywide premier semi final between Whakarewarewa and Te Puke Sports at Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke on Saturday. 19 July 2015 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser BTG 20Jul15 - TWO HALVE

There will be no Rotorua presence this season in the final of the Baywide premier rugby competition, after Whakarewarewa were bundled out of contention by Te Puke.

Whaka were beaten 40-20 by an undefeated Te Puke side on Saturday during their semifinal at Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke.

Despite the final score, Whaka gave the home side a good run and led 20-9 in the first half. But Te Puke battled back well and dominated when it came to set pieces, particularly at scrum time.

Te Puke will play Tauranga Sports this Saturday in the premier final after Tauranga defeated Mount Maunganui 37-13 in the other semifinal.

Whaka coach Kopae Irihei said after leading at half-time they felt they could push on and win their fixture, but it was not to be. "At half-time we were in with a chance if we could spoil enough ball, get enough ball, it could get us home. But that second half there was a lot of missed tackles and that is what cost us and gave them good field position."

He said Te Puke were strong in the forwards and particularly at set pieces. "They have been like that since the start of the season and that is why they are the number one ranked team."

Te Puke coach Craig Jeffries said his side did not panic when down 20-16 at half-time.

"Our guys just stuck to their job and didn't panic, at half-time there was no panic there whatsoever. So they are comfortable with what we are doing."

He said it was daunting going into a match with an undefeated record.

"It's nice if you can get through the season, but it is a bit of a burden throughout the season because everyone wants to knock you off."

Whaka scored the first points on Saturday when Ryubyn Vaipo kicked a penalty from 45m out. The forward packs put up an even battle early on and there was not much separating the sides, with only a few penalties to show for on the scoreboard.

The first try came on 30 minutes when Te Puke kicked down field and Whaka fullback Te Rangi Fraser went on one of his trademark runs. Fraser linked up with speedster Whaimotu Craft-Chemis who was brought down just before the try line. Hayden Baird picked the ball up and forced his way over to score.

Not long after that, a knock on at the back cost Te Puke when Fraser picked up the loose ball before beating a defender and strolling in under the posts.

Te Puke scored an important try just before the break to make it 20-16 at half time, after Dan Goodwin charged over from close range.

The second half was one-sided as the Te Puke forwards took over. Te Puke halfback Jono Kitto scored the first two tries, while Jake Paringatai scored out wide for the final try.

- Te Puke 40 (Jono Kitto 2, Dan Goodwin, Jake Paringatai tries; Dan Hollinshead con, 5 pen, Matt Cole drop goal) Whakarewarewa 20 (Hayden Baird, Te Rangi Fraser tries; Ryubyn Vaipo 2 con, 2 pen).