Mount Maunganui and Arataki provided a battle of attrition when the long time rivals met in the Seeka KI Western BOP Rugby competition on Saturday.

With outright second place in the championship title race, as well as bragging rights on the line, the scene was set for a battle royal.

Also on the line were the Alex Bickell Memorial trophy and the Ox Miller Cup, which are played for by the two clubs each season.

With little between the two sides in the first half, Mount Maunganui upped the pressure in the second spell to grab a 26-20 victory.

Competition leader Matakana Island faced a stern challenge to its unbeaten record when they came to town to play Judea at Maharaia Winiata Park.

To give the encounter an extra edge, the Hardy Rosebowl (Western BOP Challenge trophy) that Matakana Island had taken from Judea in the first game of the season, was at stake.

While Matakana took the Hardy Rosebowl and its undefeated run back to the island, they were made to fight all the way for the 32-22 victory by a competitive Judea team.

Papamoa got back on the winning track in the Western Bay of Plenty competition. Facing near neighbours Rangiuru at the Gordon Spratt Reserve, Papamoa won a high scoring contest, taking out the match 51-20.

While Eastern Districts went down to Tauranga Sports 40-24, they put on a game display in front of their home crowd supporters. Greerton Marist posted their second win of the season getting home against Katikati 39-5.

Seeka KI Western BOP Competition Results May 14

Mount Maunganui 26 Arataki 20, Greerton Marist 39 Katikati 5, Papamoa 51 Rangiuru 20, Matakana Island 32 Judea 22, Tauranga Sports 40 Eastern Districts 24.