Te Puna played good old-fashioned wet-weather rugby, to upset Whakarewarewa in the Bartercard Baywide Premier Rugby competition, at Maramatanga Park on Saturday, June 4.

The Western Bay team belied their position at the bottom of the points standing, to serve it up to Whaka, who are second on the point's ladder.

An early conversion to Te Puna kicker Darrell Houia, and a penalty try upped the confidence levels of the home side. Two further first half touchdowns to Ted Taufete and Whanarau Peita, saw Te Puna post 24 unanswered points in the first spell.

Whaka got points on the board six minutes into the second half, when David Marinkovich crashed over for a try with Kelly Haimoana slotting the extra two points. A Haimona penalty goal and a second Whaka try to Elijah Wilson-Hira got the Rotorua side back into the game. While sustained Te Puna pressure in the last quarter went unrewarded, the home team fans were widely delighted when the referee blew full time, with their side posting a 24-15 victory.

The standout player for Te Puna was the first five Tyrone Heke who continually pushed Whaka backwards with his sliding kicks at touch. Another to impress, was Ted Taufete, who grabbed a try after intercepting the ball and scampering 70 metres to score under the posts, in his first outing in the Premier team.

Defending Baywide champions Tauranga Sports, proved too strong for Whakatane Marist at the Wharepai Domain, running in six tries in a 46-16 victory. Portuguese fullback Nuno Penha E Costa added to his try-scoring tally for the season with Chris Noakes, Bruce Olsen, Aifai Esera, Lewis Hancock and Murphy Taele also scoring a try apiece.

Walter Aramoana crossed for Whakatane Marist, with ever reliable Whakatane kicker Craig Edwards slotting three penalties and a conversion. The Tauranga Sports bonus point win puts then seven points clear of Whaka on the points table.

There was also no joy for the two other Rotorua sides that travelled to the Western Bay on Saturday. Two tries to Zane Butler led the way for the Mount Maunganui shutting out Waikite 44-3 at Blake Park. Other Mount try scorers were Taipia Smith, Andrew Stead, Reggie Manu and Chris Elvin.

Te Puke Sports cemented fifth position on the standings when they defeated Rotoiti 34-3. The Rotorua visitors took advantage of the a strong wind in the first half, and led 3 nil courtesy of a Joe Fenton penalty, until Te Puke crashed over for a try with five minutes remaining in the first half.

The home side then took full use of the strong breeze in the second half, to run in four further touchdowns to take out the encounter. Nick McCashin grabbed two tries with the Andy Lee, Gideon Uelese and Andrew Tuise also dotting the ball down.

Rangataua made it a shutout of visiting team to the Western Bay, when they emerged from a battle royal against Opotiki at Te Ariki Park with a 22-13 win.

Division One leader Greerton Marist came up against the full force of Te Teko, who are determined to return to the Premier ranks, with the Eastern Bay side posting an emphatic 35-5 victory.

In other Div One games Marist St Michaels continued to use their get out of jail card beating Ruatoki 9-11, Ngongotaha just got home from Paroa 15-12, With Kahukura getting their Div One campaign back on track when they defeated Reporoa 32-11.

BOPRU Bartercard Baywide Results 4 June 2011

Premier

Mount Maunganui 44 (Zane Butler 2, Taipia Smith, Andrew Stead, Reggie Manu, Chris Elvin tries; Sam Jurisich 4 con 2 pens) Waikite 3 (Quaid Langeveltd pen)

Te Puke Sports 34 (Nick McCashin 2, Andy Lee, Gideon Uelese, Andrew Tuise; McCashin 3 con pen) Rotoiti 3 (Joe Fenton pen)

Te Puna 24 (Penalty try, Ted Taufete, Whanarau Peita tries; Darrel Houia 3 con pen) Whakarewarewa 15 (David Marinkovich, Elijah Wilson-Hira tries; Kelly Haimoana pen con)

Tauranga Sports 46 (Chris Noakes, Bruce Olsen, Nuno Penha E Costa, Aifai Esera, Lewis Hancock, Murphy Taele tries; Chris Noakes 5 con 2 pen) Whakatane Marist 16 (Walter Aramoana try; Craig Edwards 3 pen con)

Rangataua 22 (Moehau Flavell, Matua Parkinson, Luke O'Brien tries; Rory McConnochie 2 con pen) Opotiki 13 (Te Amo Wilbore try; Sam Howe 2 pen con)

Points Table: Tauranga Sports 45, Whakarewarewa 38, Rangataua 34, Mount Maunganui 33, Te Puke Sports 30, Rotoiti 24, Waikite 21, Opotiki 21, Te Puna 14, Whakatane Marist 12.

Division One: Marist St Michaels 11 Ruatoki 9, Katikati 14 Rangiuru 3, Kahukura 32 Reporoa 11, Ngongotaha 15 Paroa 12. Te Teko 35 Greerton Marist 5.