The weekend’s Western Bay Rugby results are setting up an intriguing finish to the Baywide preliminary competition.

With Te Puke Sports and Greerton Marist looking assured of playoff berths, Tauranga Sports, Te Puna and Whakarewarewa will battle out the last two positions. 

The top of the table clash between Te Puke Sports and Greerton Marist, in the BOPRU AR Plus Premiership, opened the abbreviated Matariki long-weekend club rugby program on Friday.

The game was described by one long-time local rugby follower as a classic encounter with the momentum swinging around throughout the all-action clash. 

Both teams scored four tries in the opening forty minutes with the Te Puke Pirates holding a two points’ advantage when the referee signalled half time. 

The hosts roared into action in the second spell, running in three touchdowns to lead 45-24 with 17 minutes remaining in the game. The last ten minutes belonged to Greerton Marist, who scored two seven pointers, with Te Puke Sports holding on to post a 45-38 victory. 

Te Puke halfback Jackson Hollinshead had a match to remember in grabbing four tries which earned him his side's man of the match. 

While Greerton Marist surrendered the WBOPRSU challenge prize of the Jordan Cup, they are having a vintage season, witnessed by winning and defending the Jordan Cup on five occasions. 

Te Puna, who are the defending premier titleholders ensured that they remain firmly in contention for a semi-final spot, after they beat archrivals Rangataua at Maramatanga Park, in winning 36-19. 

The Rangataua loss effectively ruled them out of final four to contest the playoffs, however they can be well pleased with their season, where they returned to the role of genuine contenders. 

Tauranga Sports had a fruitless trip to Rotorua after Whakarewarewa grabbed the win points on offer with a 30-26 victory. 

Three Colts matches rounded the Baywide long-weekend action. Mount Maunganui defeated a game Te Puke Sports 48-19 on Thursday evening. Greerton Marist and Tauranga Sports were unable to be separated with the match ending at 24 all, while Te Puna posted a solid 40-17 win over Kahukura. 

BOPRU AR Plus Club Rugby Results June 29, 2024

BOPRU Premiership

Te Puke Sports 45 Greerton Marist 38, Whakarewarewa 30 Tauranga Sports 26, Te Puna 36 Rangataua 19.

Points Table: Te Puke Sports 54, Greerton Marist 46, Tauranga Sports 40, Te Puna 39, Whakarewarewa 39, Rangataua 25.

BOPRU Colts/U85kg

Mount Maunganui 48 Te Puke Sports 19, Greerton Marist 24 Tauranga Sports 24, Te Puna 40 Kahukura 17, Papamoa the bye.

Points Table: Mount Maunganui 55, Te Puna 39, Greerton Marist 34, Papamoa 21, Tauranga Sports 19, Te Puke Sports 13 Kahukura 9.

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

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