Just when the two promoted teams in the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary School first XV competitions looked to be taking charge in the division one title race, they both tasted defeat at the weekend.

Defending division one champion Western Heights, which had lost its first two matches in the championship, bounced back into contention when they defeated div one second round newcomer Otumoetai College, 16-8.

For the winners, Tawhiao Morrison scored a try, with ace Western Heights goal kicker Jordan Ngamata-Poi slotting three penalties and a conversion.

The Western Heights team management said it was a pleasing return to winning rugby based upon a strong forward performance.

Winger Rawiri White and Evan Grove produced good performances, with flanker Junior Tai giving an outstanding effort from the side of the Western Heights scrum.

Te Puke High School produced back-to-back victories, when they provided Trident High School with its first defeat of the season.

The bonus point 38-13 victory takes Te Puke to the top of the table with just two rounds of the regular season remaining.

Bethlehem College leads the division two standings after getting past Tauhara College from Taupo in game three of the championship round.

While the Western Bay School snatched a narrow 16-13 victory – Bethlehem College is the only unbeaten team in div two in the championship title race.

Taupo Nui A Tia cemented second position with a 39-24 victory in a high scoring match in the Western Bay of Plenty, with the Reporoa game against Mount Maunganui still to be played.

Edgecumbe College moved into second place on the div three points table with an empathic 45-7 victory over Rotorua Lakes, with Rotorua Boys' sneaking past Aquinas College 14-7 to retain the competition lead.

The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools Rugby competitions now take a break during the school holidays and will resume on Saturday, August 6.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools Rugby First Fifteen Results July 9

Division One: Western Heights HS 16 Otumoetai College 8, Te Puke HS 38 Trident HS 13.

Points: Te Puke 11, Otumoetai 9, Trident 8, Western Heights 5, Opotiki 4, JPC 0

Division Two: Taupo Nui A Tia 39 Katikati 24, Bethlehem 16 Tauhara 13, Reporoa v Mount Maunganui not played.

Points: Bethlehem 13, Taupo Nui A Tia 10, Tauhara 6, Mount Maunganui 5, Katikati 5, Reporoa 0.

Division Three: Edgecumbe 45 Rotorua Lakes 7, Rotorua BHS 14 Aquinas 7, Whakatane defeated Tauranga BC.

Points: Rotorua BHS 14, Edgecumbe 11, Whakatane 10, Aquinas 6, Tauranga BC 5, Rotorua Lakes 2.