Whakarewarewa won a thriller against Rotoiti in the Bartercard Baywide Premier competition at the weekend to remain in contention for the first round title.

There was little between the two sides in the first spell with the 7-all score line at the break reflecting an even match-up.

A try apiece in the second spell, saw Rotoiti with a two point lead with time up on the clock. However, in a last throw of the dice, Kelly Haimona kicked a 50 metre penalty goal, which saw Whaka take out the game 18-17.

The winner's touchdowns were awarded to Akira Mako and David Marikovich, while Sikeli Vorenasu contributed two tries, a penalty and a conversion for Rotoiti. Whakarewarewa also retained the Tai Mitchell trophy, which is the Rotorua sub-union challenge trophy, which was also on the line.

This result holds Whaka level with Tauranga Sports at the top of the premier points table after Sports won its match against Opotiki at the weekend.

It was a high scoring game in the Eastern Bay of Plenty with Sports winning 37-27.

Tauranga new recruit Lewis Hancock led the way with two tries, while Josh Hall, Byron McGuigan and skipper Cullum Armstrong also touched down.

Opotiki ensured that they stayed in the middle of the points table, snatching a bonus point, with a try apiece to Joseph Howe, Te Amo and Te Hata Wilbore and Rav Rangihau.

The upset of the round came at Bellvue Road in Rotorua, where Waikite knocked Rangataua out of the first round title chase when they defeated the Western Bay side 28-25.

In other premier encounters, Mount Maunganui waltzed away from Whakatane Marist 58-22 at Blake Park, while Te Puke Sports sneaked home 28-27 over Te Puna.

The division one encounter between Kahukura and Ngongotaha at Ngongotaha headquarters was in doubt until the final whistle with Kahukura snatching a 23-22 victory.

Marist St Michaels won a battle of attrition against Rangiuru in Te Puke to post a narrow 12-8 win.

Te Teko retained their unbeaten Div One record, when they defeated Paroa 32-3 in an Eastern Bay derby at Dunderdale Park. Katikati continued their rise in the first round standings with a 25-12 victory against Ruatoki, with Greerton Marist proving too strong for Reporoa 34-14.

The battle of the two unbeaten sides in the colts blue section was a close fought encounter, before defending colts titleholders Te Puke Sports got past Te Puna 17-13. The Te Puke win sees them enter the championship round as top qualifier in the blue section.

The other unbeaten match-up took place in the colts gold section, where Opotiki hosted Tauranga Sports to decide the top qualifying position.

The game turned out to be one-way traffic with the Eastern Bay side taking the honours 28-3.

Bartercard Baywide Rugby Results 14 May 2011

Premier

Whakarewarewa 18 (Akira Mako, David Marinkovich tries; Kelly Haimoana 2 pen con) Rotoiti 17 (Sikeli Vorenasu 2 tries, pen con, Joe Fenton con) HT 7-7

Tauranga Sports 37 (Lewis Hancock 2, Josh Hall, Byron McGuigan, Cullum Armstrong tries; Nick Evemy 3 con 2 pens) Opotiki 27 (Joseph Howe, Te Amo Wilbore, Te Hata Wilbore, Rav Rangihau tries; Sam Howe 2 cons pen)

Waikite 28 (Penalty try, Hamu Hudson, Hayden Jones, Ponami Karuuna tries; H Hudson pen con, Mike Richards pen) Rangataua 25 (Matt Clutterbuck, Tane Taitoko, Nathaniel Walker tries; Rory McConnochie 2 pens 2 cons)

Mount Maunganui 58 (Tutere Waenga 2, Malaki Kisina 2. Troye Elvin, Lance MacDonald, Sam Jurisich, Jason Spice tries; D Waenga 5 cons 2 pens, S Jurisich 2 con) Whakatane Marist 22 (Zeke Bowater, Craig Edwards, Mark Camburn tries; C Edwards 2 con, Kite Paonga pen) HT 25-3

Te Puke Sports 28 (Nathan Harris 2, Andrew Tuise, Gideon Uelese tries; Derek Maisey 2 pen con) Te Puna 27 (Uenuku Pieta 2, Maurikahu Edwards, Pomare Pearson tries; Darrell Houia 2 con pen) HT 15-22

Points Table: Whakarewarewa 30, Tauranga Sports 30, Rangataua 24, Mount Maunganui 23, Te Puke Sports 21, Opotiki 20, Waikite 20, Rotoiti 19, Te Puna 10, Whakatane Marist 3.

Division One: Katikati 25 Ruatoki 12, Kahukura 23 Ngongotaha 22, Greerton Marist 34 Reporoa 14, Marist St Michaels 12 Rangiuru 8, Te Teko 32 Paroa 3.

Colts: (Blue Section) Te Puke Sports 17 Te Puna 13, Waikite 38 Whakatane Marist 8, Mount Maunganui 49 Ruatoki 0 (Gold Section) Rangataua 70 Judea 0, Opotiki 28 Tauranga Sports 3, Greerton Marist 100 Whakarewarewa 5, Marist St Michaels 92 Edgecumbe 12.