Albeit in contrasting circumstances, Rotoiti and Whakarewarewa have bounced back from recent poor form to post a victory apiece in the Bartercard Baywide Premier competition at the weekend.

Mount Maunganui won the ‘battle of the bridge' match at Tauranga Domain on Saturday in Baywide premier rugby.

Rotoiti won a nail biter against Rangataua in the Western Bay of Plenty, having to defend a one point lead in the last 10 minutes before snatching a 24-23 win.

The star of the match was Rotoiti fullback Sikeli Vorenasu, who grabbed a try with a brilliant 80 metre solo burst down the sideline, and set up a second when he jinked from one side of the paddock to the other to hand the ball to Josev Sevata to touch down.

For good measure, Vorenasu added nine points with two penalties and a dropped goal.

The game was a close run affair with home side fullback Rory McConnochie scoring his side's first touchdown and slotting 13 points with his boot.

Rotoiti led 18-10 at the break, before Timoti Gardiner got Rangataua back in the game with a try.

The successful conversion took the score line to 21-20 before the teams traded a penalty goal apiece with the visitors grabbing a one-point victory.

By contrast, the Whakarewarewa return to form was a four try victory over Whakatane Marist in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Former New Zealand Secondary Schools halfback Kapaeriere Wharewera opened the Whaka try tally in the first half and then grabbed a second touchdown with Akira Mako also picking up a double.

Whaka sharp shooter Kelly Haimona was in excellent form, converting all four of his team's tries and adding four penalty goals for good measure.

The Whakatane points came from a try to Eadon Rowson, and a penalty and a conversion to Craig Edwards.

The Western Bay of Plenty ‘Battle of the Bridge' was won by Mount Maunganui which posted a four tries to nil defeat of defending Baywide Champions Tauranga Sports.

The comprehensive 24-6 victory also relieved Tauranga Sports of the Jordan Cup (Western BOP Challenge Trophy).

Long serving Mount players Chris and Troye Elvin led the charge to victory with a try apiece, with Tate Smith and Sam Mayes also dotting the ball down.

Matt Golding added two conversions with Nick Evemy kicking two penalty goals for Tauranga Sports.

Te Puke Sports, which has been the quiet achiever in the top echelon this season, re-inked its third place in the title race with a solid 33-5 win against Waikite.

The home side raced out to a 26-nil lead at half time before repelling some solid Waikite defence in the second spell.

Gideon Uelese continued his season try-scoring spree with Nathan Harris, Roger Berkin, Lane Gibson and Sipa Moi Moi also crossing for five points. The Waikite try was awarded to Ngawoto Booi.

Opotiki flying full back Te Amo Wilbore continued his try scoring blitz, to add two touchdowns to a season tally that now stands at 12, as his team defeated Te Puna 30-22 in a relatively even contest.

The upset of the day came in division one where Marist St Michaels lowered the colours of Te Teko for just the second time this season. The Marist side, which has made a habit of grinding out narrow victories, continued its recent good form taking out an 18-17 success against the competition leaders.

Katikati posted its fourth draw of the season when it was unable to be separated from Reporoa at 17 points apiece. A second tied result was posted when Ngongotaha and Rangiuru battled to a 13-all draw at the Ngongotaha Domain, while Paroa posted a solid 29-10 win over Ruatoki.

In the Colts title race, Tauranga Sports put Mount Maunganui to the sword to win 37-14. Competition leader Te Puke Sports defeated Greerton Marist 22-15, Te Puna got past Rangataua 16-6, with Marist St Michaels edging out Opotiki 15-12.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Baywide Results 25 June 2011

Premier:

Te Puke Sports 33 (Nathan Harris, Roger Berkin, Gideon Uelese, Lane Gibson, Sipa Moi Moi tries; Nick McCashin 4 con) Waikite 5 (Ngawoto Booi try) HT 26-0.

Rotoiti 24 (Sikeli Vorenasu, David Fraser, Josev Sevata tries; Vorenasu 2 pen dg) Rangataua 23 (Rory McConnochie, Timoti Gardiner tries; McConnochie 3 pen 2 con) HT 18-10.

Opotiki 30 (Te Amo Wilbore 2, Te Hata Wilbore tries; Sam Howe 3 pen 3 con) Te Puna 22 (Tapene Mika, Daniel Schuster, Taimania Tata tries: Mika 2 con pen)

Mount Maunganui 26 (Tate Smith, Sam Mayes, Troye Elvin, Chris Elvin tries; Matt Golding 2 con) Tauranga Sports 6 (Nick Evemy 2 con)

Whakarewarewa 40 (Kapaeriere Wharewera 2, Akira Mako 2 tries; Kelly Haimoana 4 pen 4 con) Whakatane Marist 10 (Eadon Rowson try; Craig Edwards pen con) HT 13-3.

Points Table: Tauranga Sports 58, Mount Maunganui 52, Te Puke 48, Whakarewarewa 44, Rangataua 40, Opotiki 35, Rotoiti 30, Waikite 25, Te Puna 19, Whakatane Marist 17,

Divison One: Paroa 29 Ruatoki 10, Greerton Marist 30 Kahukura 19, Marist St Michaels 18 Te Teko 17, Reporoa 22 Katikati 22, Ngongotaha 13 Rangiuru 13.

Colts (Section One) Tauranga Sports 37 Mount Maunganui 14, Te Puna 16 Rangataua 6, Te Puke Sports 22 Greerton Marist 15, Marist St Michaels 15 Opotiki 12 (Section Two) Waikite 15 Judea 12, Whakarewarewa 36 Whakatane Marist 14.