Pirates fail to beat Tauranga
Baywide premier champions retain unbeaten record
TRUGBY
wo tries to All Black hooker Nathan Harris weren’t enough to get the Pirates over the line at Tauranga Sports last Saturday. Two Te Puke Sports’ lapses in concentration late in the game opened the door for Tauranga to take a match that was up for grabs until the final 15 minutes.
Playing at home, Tauranga Sports made a fast start with a successful penalty and a try in the opening 10 minutes.
Te Puke Sports settled down to control the rest of the first half, with Harris, released by the Chiefs for the game, bursting over to dot the ball down after 34 minutes.
Lock Tim Bond continued his side’s momentum with their second try to see Te Puke lead 12-8 at the break.
Pirates’ fullback Luther Hirini extended the lead after just four minutes of the second half, with the Ash Moeke conversion, taking his side out to an 11 point advantage.
The home side then upped the ante to run in three tries in just seven minutes to turn the tables and build a 10 point lead.
Te Puke weren’t done with and came back when Nathan Harris crossed for his second five-pointer. The resulting conversion narrowed the gap to just three points, with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Tauranga Sports roared back to attack the opposition line and ran in two converted tries to take out a 43-26 victory. The leadership skills and his all-round contribution saw Nathan Harris recognised as his team’s player of the day.
The multiple Baywide premier champions retained their season unbeaten record, with Te Puke Sports sitting not far off the pace in equal second place.
Rangiuru joined Te Puke Sports on 12 points, with their third win of the season, when they beat Whakarewarewa 17-10 in Rotorua.
The first half was all Rangiuru with Jayden Green slotting penalties on the 10th, 24th and 29th minute and Hinckley Siaosi scoring his side’s only try on 33 minutes.
Rangiuru’s 14-0 halftime lead was extended to 17 with another Green penalty before Whakarewarewa got on the board with a three pointer to Akira Mako. A try right on full time to Dion Schreiber, converted by Mathew Skipworth-garland, was just consolation for the home side.
Rangiuru’s Development team set the scene for their premier counterparts with a 19-18 win over Whakarewarewa, with the Pirates’ second team going down 36-15 in the early action at the Tauranga Domain.
Next Saturday both local clubs host home games with Te Puke Sports entertaining Whakarewarewa and Rangiuru hosting Marist St Michael’s.
In the Western Bay Senior Reserves competition, Eastern District’s had a bye last weekend and next Saturday travel to Tauranga Sports for a game that kicks off at 1pm. BOPRU Premier Results May 8: Tauranga Sports 43 Te Puke Sports 26 (Nathan Harris 2, Tim Bond, Luther Hirini tries; Ash Moeke 3 con) HT 8-12
Marist St Michaels 39 Arataki 15, Ngongotaha 13 Rangataua 8, Rangiuru 17 Whakarewarewa 10, Greerton Marist 20 Mount Maunganui 17, Te Puna the bye.
■ Points Table: Tauranga Sports 20, Te Puna 16, Greerton Marist 12, Te Puke Sports 12, Rangiuru 12, Mount Maunganui 8, Whakarewarewa 8, Ngongotaha 8, Marist St Michaels 4, Rangataua 0, Arataki 0.
BOPRU Development Results Marist St Michaels 34 Arataki 7, Ngongotaha 22 Rangataua 12, Rangiuru 19 Whakarewarewa 18, Greerton Marist 17 Mount Maunganui 15, Tauranga Sports 36 Te Puke Sports 15, Te Puna the bye.
■ Points Table: Tauranga Sports 20, Greerton Marist 20, Te Puke Sports 12, Te Puna 12, Ngongotaha 12, Mount Maunganui 8, Rangiuru 8, Whakarewarewa 4, Marist St Michaels 4, Arataki 0, Rangataua 0.