Unbeaten Te Puke pass sternest test
TBAYWIDE RUGBY
e Puke Sports came through their sternest test of the season so far, overcoming a strong Mount Maunganui side 26-21 at Murray Salt Stadium on Saturday.
In the first competition game in front of the ground’s new stand, Pirates’ fullback Luther Hirini opened the scoring with a try out on the right in the 19th minute.
The visitors came back with a penalty, then a move off the back of the scrum paid dividends with a converted try, to lead 10-5 at halftime.
A Mount penalty stretched their lead to eight, before a Masiu Akauola five-pointer, converted by Ash Moeke, reduced the deficit to one.
The try of the match came from a Mount Maunganui clearing kick, picked up by fullback Luther Hirini who danced his way past the Mount Maunganui defenders, off-loading to Sonny Collier to score in the corner. Moeke’s conversion put the hosts into the lead for the first time in the game.
Danny Underwood posted the fourth Te Puke touchdown.
The Mount gave themselves some hope with a penalty bringing the points difference down to five, but Te Puke held on to continue their unbeaten start to the Baywide rugby season, with Luther Hirini named
INDOOR BOWLS
April 26: Mat one: Leslie Drabble, Gill Jenkinson, Georgina Coates, Jan Franklyn. Mat two: Annie Kuipers, Syd Honeyfield, Brenda Hamment, Bill Franklyn. Mat three: Garry Rowlings, June Bell, Val Burrows, Barry Adams. Mat four: Faye Diprose, player of the day.
Te Puke Sports’ litmus test will come next weekend when they square off with Tauranga Sports, with the Jordan Cup (WBOPRS Challenge Trophy) on the line, at the Tauranga Domain.
Janice Brown, Blue Forrest.
BRIDGE
April 26 – Cavanagh Panelbeaters Handicap Singles, Session 1. 1st Leonie
Tauranga Sports had a comprehensive win, 59-10 over Rangiuru at Centennial Park. Melino Fotu was Rangiuru’s sole try scorer with Jayden Green successful with the conversion and a penalty.
Te Puke Sports development team also remain unbeaten after a 19-5 win over their Mount Maunganui counterparts, while Rangiuru’s development went down 29-12 to Tauranga Sports.
Next Saturday Te Puke visit Tauranga Domain, while Rangiuru travel to Rotorua to play Whakarewarewa. Development games start at 1pm with premiers games at 2.45pm.
Rangiuru’s women’s side travelled to Rotoiti last Sunday, winning 43-15 and will be on the road again next Sunday when they play O¯po¯tiki in Opo¯ ¯ tiki.
BOPRU Premier Results May 1
Te Puke Sports 26 (Luther Hirini, Masiu Akauola, Sonny Collier, Danny Underwood tries; Ash Moeke 3 con), Mount Maunganui 21 (HT 5-10)
Te Puna 81 Marist St Michaels 5, Whakarewarewa 51 Arataki 10, Greerton Marist 32 Ngongotaha 8, Tauranga Sports 59 Rangiuru 10, Rangataua the bye.
Points Table: Tauranga Sports 16, Te Puna 16, Te Puke Sports 12, Greerton Marist 8, Mount Maunganui 8, Rangiuru 8, Whakarewarewa 8, Ngongotaha 4, Arataki 0, Rangataua 0, Marist St Michaels 0.
BOPRU Development
Te Puke Sports 19 Mount Maunganui 5, Te Puna 31 Marist St Michaels 15, Whakarewarewa 33 Arataki 12, Greerton Marist 64 Ngongotaha 14, Tauranga Sports 29 Rangiuru 12, Rangataua the bye.
Points Table: Greerton Marist 16, Tauranga Sports 16, Te Puke Sports 12, Te Puna 12, Mount Maunganui 8, Ngongotaha 8, Whakarewarewa 4, Rangiuru 4, Marist St Michaels 0, Arataki 0, Rangataua 0.