Despite the bad weather, Greerton Marist's charity match against Rangataua was a huge success yesterday, raising more than $15,000.

The special game at Greerton Park on Oropi Road raised money and awareness for the non-profit organisation Home of Hope, which provides love and support to Tauranga's most vulnerable children.

Greerton Marist charity match organiser Talor Duncan says both players and spectators soldiered on in spite of the heavy rain

'The pitch turned to sludge basically, so the jerseys didn't stay very white. But it was good – there was a massive turnout, despite the weather,” he says.

He describes the match as ‘a game of two halves', with Rangataua coming from behind with two back-to-back tries in the second half. In the end it was 23-15, an eight-point difference – too big a gap to close in the game's dying minutes.

However, the main focus and purpose of the event turned out very well.

'We raised just over $15,000, so we were over the moon. Initially we were hoping to make five grand for Homes of Hope, but the auction was unbelievable. People were paying ridiculous amounts for jerseys.”

He says seeing Hilary's face when they handed the cheque over was the icing on the cake.

'We're thinking of doing it again every two years.”

Sponsors for the match included SunMedia, 1st Call, Wave Creative Communication Agency, Laser Plumbing, Z Energy, Rugbytots Tauranga, Property Managers Limited, L J Hooker - Pyes Pa, YOU Travel, Fitco Gym, Landscape Supplies, Zariba Properties Ltd, Near New Cars, Warren O'Connor, First Homes Bay of Plenty, Glass Art, Fish Face and The Rock.