Rugby: Whakarewarewa share lead

Whakarewarewa's Te Rangi Fraser (right) scored four tries to help his team to a bonus-point victory over Rangataua. Photo / Andrew Warner

Tauranga Sports and Whakarewarewa sit on top of the Baywide premier standings after both sides posted solid wins in round two.

However, the most emphatic victory on Saturday saw Te Puke Sports run over Eastern Bay heavyweights Opotiki 80-7 at Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke.

The expected close battle between Tauranga Sports and Rotoiti, who had won their respective sub-union local rounds, turned out to be mostly one-way traffic.

The first quarter was an arm wrestle, with neither team posting any points, before former Rotoiti star Jesse Acton crossed for Tauranga Sports after 25 minutes.

Two more first-half tries gave the home side a 19-nil lead at the break.

Flying Tauranga Sports winger Phillip Togotogorua scored a try after five minutes of the second half, with the conversion, pushing the side out to a 26-nil advantage.

A concerted Rotoiti forward attack was rewarded when Arapo Whata was awarded a five-pointer.

A fifth home side try saw Tauranga Sports take out the encounter 36-5.

Whakarewarewa came back from 11-15 down at half time to record a solid 44-22 win against Rangataua.

Mount Maunganui won a high-scoring encounter against Whakatane Marist 57-25 in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Te Puna snuck home against Greerton Marist 26-22 and Paroa defeated Waikite 24-13.

- Points Table: Whakarewarewa 10, Tauranga Sports 10, Te Puke Sports 9, Te Puna 9, Mount Maunganui 5, Rotoiti 5, Whakatane Marist 5, Paroa 4, Rangataua 1, Greerton Marist 1, Waikite 0, Opotiki 0.