TP Sports inflict first-half damage
Ngongotaha¯ run in two tries to soothe the pain
TRUGBY
e Puke Sports premiers, had their game at Ngongotaha¯ in the bag by halftime on Saturday. Playing his 189th game in the Pirates strip, Matt Wallis was in dynamic form, dotting down twice. Player of the day Nemani Smith, Tim Bond, Danny Underwood and Micah Rauhala also got into the action with five-pointers as Te Puke Sports led 36-0 at the break.
Determined Ngongotaha¯ defence kept Te Puke tryless in the second spell until fullback Ro Cavo Divo crossed for his side’s seventh try of the game. Jack Hollinshead added the two points — his fourth conversion of the day.
The home side scored their second try of the game in the dying minutes of the encounter, to see Te Puke Sports return home with a solid 43-14 win. Lock Kinsey Stoddard was awarded his Te Puke Sports blazer after playing 30 premier matches.
For the second week in a row, the Te Puke Development team cut loose in the second half. Leading their Ngongotaha¯ counterparts just 12-10 after 40 minutes, they ran riot to post 45 second-half points in their 57-19 victory.
An injury-hit Rangiuru premier team faced Mount
Maunganui at Blake Park, the hosts still hurting after a poor performance against cellar dwellers Rangataua the previous weekend.
The home side roared into action from the opening whistle to lead 21-0 after 20 minutes and 33-0 at halftime. The second half was more even, with the sides trading scores, Rangiuru’s playercoach Tanerau Latimer getting his side on the board within two minutes of the restart and Jayden Green converting. The Mount restored their 33-point advantage midway through the half before winger Tim Fatialofa got Rangiuru’s second, with Sasu Wihapi successfully converting. Mount Maunganui scored on full time to make the result 47-14.
Rangiuru’s development side were also beaten, going down 53-14 in the curtainraiser.
This weekend sees Rangiuru travel north to square off against secondplaced Te Puna at Maramatanga Park. Te Puke Sports are at home to Arataki who sit winless at the bottom of the standings. Development games start at 1pm, premiers at 2.45pm
Eastern Districts continue to lead the Western Bay of Plenty competition after surviving a spirited challenge from near neighbours Pa¯pa¯moa at Gordon Spratt Reserve. ED’S 19-12 win reflected a match that was up for grabs throughout most of the encounter.
Rangiuru’s women’s side booked a place in the Toi Ohomai Baywide Women’s rugby championship final on Sunday, beating Rangataua 24-5 at Centennial Park. They will meet Mount Maunganui at Blake Park in the final on Sunday, the game kicking off at 1pm.
Te Puke Sports 43 (Matt Wallis 2, Tim Bond, Nemani Smith, Danny Underwood, Micah Rauhala, Ro Cavo Divo tries; Jack Hollinshead 4 con) Ngongotaha¯ 14 — HT 36-0 Mount Maunganui 47 Rangiuru 14 (Tanerau Latimer, Tim Fatialofa tries; Jayden Green 1 con, Sasu Wihapi 1 con) HT 33-0.
Te Puna 59 Rangataua 3, Whakarewarewa 55 Marist St Michael’s 0, Tauranga Sports 37 Arataki 30, Greerton Marist the bye.
Points: Tauranga Sports 26, Te Puna 24, Te Puke Sports 20, Rangiuru 16, Greerton Marist 14, Mount Maunganui 12, Whakarewarewa 12, Ngongotaha¯ 8, Marist St Michael’s 4 Rangataua 4, Arataki 0.
Te Puna 34 Rangataua 22, Whakarewarewa 15 Marist St Michael’s 0, Tauranga Sports 28 Arataki 7, Te Puke Sports 57 Ngongotaha¯ 15, Mount Maunganui 53 Rangiuru 14, Greerton Marist the bye. Points: Tauranga Sports 28, Te Puna 20, Te Puke Sports 20, Greerton Marist 20, Mount Maunganui 16, Ngongotaha¯ 12, Whakarewarewa 8, Marist St Michael’s, Rangiuru 8, Rangataua 0, Arataki 0. WBOP Sub-union Senior: