After a real battle of attrition, Arataki provided Seeka KI Western BOP competition leaders Matakana Island with its first defeat of the season.

The game was described as a hard fought encounter, with no quarter given by either side. After 80 minutes of pulsating action, the match produced an old fashioned score line reminiscent of rugby in the 1960s with Arataki taking out the game 8-5.

Not only did Arataki relieve Matakana Island of its unbeaten record, but they also grabbed the Hardy Rosebowl that the Island team has held since the first Saturday in April.

The major beneficiary of the Matakana loss was Mount Maunganui – which moved to the top of the points table, albeit by a solitary point, when it won a high scoring encounter with Eastern Districts at the Paengaroa Domain.

The final score line of 39-21 to Mount Maunganui didn't reflect a game where ED served it up to the visitors for much of the match, with the home side leading 13-12 at halftime.

The battle between near neighbours Te Puke Sports and Rangiuru was another game to go down to the wire with Rangiuru grabbing a solitary point 13-12 victory.

While Katikati sneaked home from Papamoa 26-24, it was another tight contest with the half time score of 19-17 to Katikati, reflecting the intensity of the match.

Tauranga Sports made a significant move up the points table when they defeated Greerton Marist.

The Tauranga 74-20 win, reflected a match where the ball was flung around as often as possible by the victors.

Seeka KI Western BOP Results May 21

Tauranga Sports 74 Greerton Marist 20, Katikati 26 Papamoa 24, Arataki 8 Matakana Island 5, Mount Maunganui 39 Eastern Districts 21, Rangiuru 13 Te Puke Sports 12.

Points Table

Mount Maunganui 40, Matakana Island 39, Arataki 34, Katikati 30, Tauranga Sports 27, Papamoa 25, Judea 21,Te Puke Sports 20, Eastern Districts 13, Greerton Marist 11, Rangiuru 9.