Whakarewarewa has a handy break on the other Bartercard Baywide premier rugby title contenders, after despatching defending champs Tauranga Sports, on Saturday at Tauranga Domain.

The Rotorua visitors opened the scoring eight minutes into the match when Whaka fullback Rawiri Tapiata intercepted the ball to dot down under the posts. The 7-nil advantage to Whaka at the break reflected a game that was up for grabs in the wet conditions.

Early in the second spell, Akira Maka crossed for his side's second touchdown, which was followed by a try to Tauranga Sports Lewis Hancock.

Two further Whaka tries to Akira Mako and Doug Edwards stretched the visitor's lead to 17 points.

A consolation try awarded to Phil Burleigh as the clock ticked down saw the match finish with the scoreboard showing a 24-14 victory to Whaka.

The four tries to two win from the Rotorua team, against the side shooting for its fifth consecutive Baywide Premier title, laid down the challenge to the other contenders.

Opotiki was involved in another battle of attrition when they returned home to the Eastern Bay with a 20-all draw with Waikite on the ledger card. Two tries apiece reflected an encounter where there was little between the two sides throughout the contest at Waikite headquarters.

Rotoiti, which has made its home ground at Emery Park a fortress, ran in five tries on its way to defeating Whakatane Marist 32-5. A double to Sikeli Vorenasu with Seigfried Fisiihoi, Matt Landers and Beau Kiel also touching the ball down, gave Rotoiti its third successive victory of the season. Whakatane Marist's points came from a second half try awarded to Zek Bowater.

On Friday evening, Mount Maunganui cruised to a comfortable 36-5 win over Te Puna in the Chiefs versus Crusaders curtain raiser, with Rangatau keeping in touch with the competition leaders despatching Te Puke Sports16-6.

Te Teko continued its unbeaten run in division one with a solid 34-14 win against Ngongotaha in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Katikati showed that it is a genuine div one contender, handing Kahukura its first defeat of the season, winning 24-9.

Greerton Marist won a high scoring encounter with fellow Western Bay side Rangiuru, posting a 41-24 victory, Reporoa took home a 18-13 win over Ruatoki deep in the Eastern Bay at Tuhoe Park, while Paroa accounted for Marist St Michaels 21-7.

Te Puna had a real tussle in the colts blue division against Mount Maunganui before emerging with a hard fought 18-13 win. Te Puke Sports posted 46 unanswered points in the match-up with Ruatoki in the curtain raiser at Tuhoe Park, with Rotoiti getting past Whakatane Marist 38-15.

The closest game of the colts gold division was the Marist inter-city match at Greerton Park.

In a game that went down to the wire, Greerton Marist sneaked home to post a 13-10 victory against Marist St Michaels. Rangataua beat Edgecumbe 49-5, while Opotiki and Tauranga Sports posted big score lines over Judea and Whakarewarewa respectively.

BOPRU Bartercard Baywide Rugby Results April 16

Premier

Mount Maunganui 36 (Tutere Waenga, Chris Gillies, Malakai Kisina, Leighton Price, Sam Juricich tries; Dan Waenga 3con pen, Juricich con) Te Puna 3 (Darrell Houia pen). HT: 12-3.

Rotoiti 32 (Sikeli Vorenasu 2, Seigfried Fisiihoi, Matt Landers, Beau Kiel tries; Vorenasu con 2pen) Whakatane Marist 5 (Zek Bowater) HT: 10-0.

Rangataua 16 (Ryan Hika, Matt Clutterbuck tries; Ruki Tipuna 2pen) Te Puke Sports 6 (Derek Maisey 2pen). HT 6-6.

Waikite 20 (Quaid Langeveldt, Jake Marsters tries; Langeveldt 2pen 2con) Opotiki 20 (Roha Maxwell, penalty try; Te Amo Wilbore 2 pens 2 cons)

Whakarewarewa 24 (Akira Mako 2, Rawiri Tapiata, Doug Edwards tries; Kelly Haimona 2con) Tauranga Sports 14 (Phil Burleigh 2 tries; Lewis Hancock 2con). HT: 7-0.

Division One: Paroa 21 Marist St Michaels 7, Katikati 24 Kahukura 9, Te Teko 34 Ngongotaha 14, Greerton Marist 41 Rangiuru 24, Reporoa 18 Ruatoki 15.

Colts (Blue) Te Puna 18 Mount Maunganui 13, Te Puke Sports 46 Ruatoki 0, Rotoiti 38 Whakatane Marist 15.

(Gold) Tauranga Sports 89 Whakarewarewa 0, Opotiki 88 Judea 0. Rangataua 49 Edgecumbe 5, Greerton Marist 13 Marist St Michaels 10.