The Baywide Premiership top four to contest the playoffs this month are nearly finalized with most pieces of the puzzle completed on Saturday. 

Tauranga Sports, who were engaged in a contest with Whakarewarewa and Te Puna for the last two semi-final spots, emerged from the blast furnace atmosphere at Maramatanga Park with the win points on offer.

The game matched up the defending Baywide champions, in Te Puna, against a side who had won nine Baywide titles in twenty-five seasons.

With a playoffs spot on the line, Tauranga Sports called on all their knowledge of winning big games to defeat Te Puna, 30-22.

Te Puke Sports, confirmed a home semi-final after a road trip to Rotorua, where they defeated Whakarewarewa 50-31. The Pirates had a 33 point lead, before the hosts showed their fighting spirit as the clock ticked down, to run in two (converted) tries in the last ten minutes.

 A feature of the encounter was the five tries scored by Te Puke fullback Fletcher Carpenter, who also added five conversions. His thirty-five points, took his season scoring tally to 176 points which included 17 touchdowns.

Te Puke Sports beat Whakarewarewa 50-31. Photo: Te Puke Sports and Recreation Club.

Greerton Marist also earned a home ground playoff with their 34-10 victory against Rangataua. Arguably the most improved side in the Baywide title race this season, the Black and Gold brigade, will be eying their first Baywide finals day appointment.

The scenario in next weekend's last preliminary stanza is that Whakarewarewa will join Te Puke Sports, Greerton Marist and Tauranga Sports, if they beat Rangataua at home at Puarenga Park. 

Another team to wear a much improved tag this season is Judea, who will play Mount Maunganui in the Baywide Championship final. Judea beat Ngongotaha, in an arm wrestle at the Rotorua sides headquarters,  to post a 10-8 win.

Mount Maunganui stamped their authority on the Baywide Championship preliminary competition, with three big wins, after they dispatched Marist St Michaels 45-19.

BOPRU AR Plus Club Rugby Results July 6, 2024

Premier 

Premiership: Tauranga Sports 30 Te Puna 22, Te Puke Sports 50 Whakarewarewa 31, Greerton Marist 34 Rangataua 10.

Points Table: Te Puke Sports 59, Greerton Marist 51, Tauranga Sports 45, Whakarewarewa 40, Te Puna 39, Rangataua 25. 

Championship: Judea 10 Ngongotaha 8, Mount Maunganui 45 Marist St Michaels 19.

Points Table: Mount Maunganui 38, Judea 14, Marist St Michaels 13, Ngongotaha 4.

BOPRU Colts/U85kg

Te Puna 45 Te Puke Sports 13, Tauranga Sports 68 Kahukura 14, Greerton Marist 37 Papamoa 27, Mount Maunganui the bye.

WBOPRSU Championship/Baywide Promotion

Rangataua 40 Eastern Districts 31, Greerton Marist 55, Rangiuru 0, Arataki 29 Te Puke Sports 17 Tauranga Sports 44 Papamoa 7, Mount Maunganui 55 Katikati 0, Judea defeated  Matakana Island by default, Te Puna the bye

Jordan Cup 2024 (WBOPRS Challenge Trophy)

2023 Holder – Mount Maunganui

20 April           Greerton Marist 39 Mount Maunganui 22

27 April           Greerton Marist 32 Judea 0

4 May              Rangataua 33 Greerton Marist 24

11 May            Tauranga Sports 61 Rangataua 28

18 May            Greerton Marist 28 Tauranga Sports 27

8 June              Greerton Marist 43 Te Puna 12

15 June            Greerton Marist 28 Tauranga Sports 12

28 June            Te Puke Sports 45 Greerton Marist 38

Next Challenge 

13 July Te Puke Sports v Tauranga Sports, Tauranga Domain

All Draws & Points Tables can be found at www.boprugby.co.nz