Te Puke, Rangiuru shape up
Both posted wins but that’s where similarity ended
TRUGBY
e Puke Sports and Rangiuru look almost certain to contest the Baywide premiership second phase after both sides posted hometown victories on Saturday.
Rangiuru had to work hard to overcome the challenge laid down by Rotorua visitors Marist St Michael’s at Centennial Park, with the visitors opening the scoring through Joseva Naigulevu in the opening minute.
Rangiuru winger Tim Fatailofa hit back in the 10th minute with a John Collier try, converted by Jayden Green, putting the hosts in front.
St Michael’s No 8 Illisoni Tuivanuavou scored his side’s second try for a 12-10 scoreline at the break.
Rangiuru extended the lead through Patuara Biel with Green converting his own five-pointer midway through the half to give Rangiuru some breathing space before St Michael’s hit back with a converted try in the 70th minute, Rangiuru holding on for the 24-17 win.
Te Puke Sports strolled to victory at Murray Salt Stadium when they beat long-time rivals Whakarewarewa 56-17, after leading by 25 at the halfway stage of the encounter.
Te Puke laid the platform of their eight-try win when lock Petero Mailulu crashed over in the opening minute of the match.
Masiu Akauola grabbed
Pirates’ fourth touchdown, as the clock ticked down to halftime, before storming over for his second fivepointer just four minutes into the second half.
Te Puke Sports were well in control at 42-3 before Whakarewarewa were awarded a penalty try and then immediately came back with a converted touchdown, to reduce the deficit to 25 points.
Two further Pirates’ tries in the last 10 minutes gave coach Paul Tietjens his biggest win of the season. Player of the day Ash Moeke was in immaculate form with his goalkicking, nailing eight from eight conversions, while he marshalled the backline to good effect. His extensive provincial representative experience has been put to good use this season in mentoring the side’s youngsters.
Te Puke’s development team had to dig deep in the curtain raiser at Murray Salt Stadium, after trailing Whakarewarewa 19-3 at halftime. A determined second half from Te Puke resulted in a hard fought 24-19 win. Their fourth win of the season sees the Te Puke Sports second team sitting comfortably in the top four.
Rangiuru’s development side went down 40-27 to Marist St Michael’s.
Next Saturday Te Puke travel to Ngongotaha¯ while Rangiuru head to Blake Park to take on Mount Maunganui, who lost to previously winless Rangataua last Saturday.
Eastern Districts lead the Western Bay of Plenty Senior first round competition, after they defeated Tauranga Sports 24-14 at the Tauranga Domain. Next Saturday a local derby will take centre stage at Gordon Spratt Reserve when Papamoa host ED.
Te Puke Sports 56 (Micah Rauhala 2, Masiu Akauola 2, Petero Mailulu, Nemani Smith, Danny Underwood, Jack Hollinshead tries; Ash Moeke 8 con) Whakarewarewa 17. HT: 28-3 Rangiuru 24 (Tim Fatialofa, John Collier, Patuara Biel, Hayden Green tries, Jayden Green 2 con) Marist St Michael’s 17; Rangataua 24 Mount Maunganui 10; Greerton Marist 31 Tauranga Sports 31; Te Puna defeated Arataki by default, Ngongotaha¯ the bye.
Points Table: Tauranga Sports 22, Te Puna 20, Te Puke Sports 16, Rangiuru 16, Greerton Marist 14, Mount Maunganui 8, Whakarewarewa 8, Ngongotaha¯ 8, Marist St Michael’s 4, Rangataua 4, Arataki 0.
Te Puna 70 Arataki 0; Marist St Michael’s 40 Rangiuru 29; Mount Maunganui 47 Rangataua 12; Te Puke Sports 24 Whakarewarewa 19; Tauranga Sports 24 Greerton Marist 12; Ngongotaha the bye.
Points Table: Tauranga Sports 24, Greerton Marist 20, Te Puna 16, Te Puke Sports 16, Mount Maunganui 12, Ngongotaha 12, Marist St Michael’s 8, Rangiuru 8, Whakarewarewa 8, 4 Arataki 0, Rangataua 0.
WBOP Sub-union Senior: Eastern Districts 24 Tauranga Sports 14, Pa¯pa¯moa the bye.