In the third week of the 2025 Baywide Rugby Premiership, Te Puke Sports and Greerton Marist clashed in a repeat of last year’s final.

Te Puke Sports were victorious on that occasion and were in no mood to let their hosts gain revenge in Saturday’s clash.

There was little to choose between the two sides for the first quarter of the game, until Te Puke man of the match Taine Craig-Ranga somehow found a gap to scythe through the Marist defence and score under the posts.

Fletcher Carpenter added the extras and shortly afterwards Craig-Ranga added a drop goal to put his side out to a 10-0 lead that they held until the break.

The Greerton defence was breached again by a determined run from Te Puke vice-captain Brad Armstrong.

The try was again converted by Carpenter who added three more from a penalty awarded for a late hit, and Te Puke had doubled their lead.

Grady Forbes scoots in for a try after a quick tap. Photo / Stuart Whitaker

A quick tap by Grady Forbes caught the Greerton defence napping and they couldn’t stop him going over close to the posts, Carpenter making it a seven-pointer.

The game was into its final quarter before Greerton got on the scoresheet through Richard Aserona, fullback Junior Matautia adding the conversion before Declan Barnett and Carpenter added a try each to make the final score 39-7.

After losing their opening game against Whakarewarewa, Te Puke have put together two impressive wins, beating Mount Maunganui 67-0 in week two.

Te Puke’s development side went down 46-3 in last Saturday’s curtain-raiser while the colts beat Marist St Michaels Colts 55-10 at Murray Salt Stadium.

This weekend Te Puke’s premier and development sides have a bye and, with no rugby over the Easter weekend, will not play until April 26 when they travel to Tauranga Sports.

Kolinio Gonebale looks to break free of a would-be tackler. Photo / Stuart Whitaker

Kieran Harris takes a tackle. Photo / Stuart Whitaker

Taine Craig-Ranga opened the scoring for Te Puke Sports and was his side’s man of the match. Photo / Stuart Whitaker

Declan Barnett flies high to catch a cross-field kick. Photo / Stuart Whitaker