Te Puke Sports have secured their fourth Baywide premier title in the last thirteen seasons, after defeating Greerton Marist in the AR Plus Club Rugby Final, in a hard fought encounter at Murray Salt Stadium on Saturday, July 27.

The home side, which finished top qualifier in the preliminary competition, opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Kase Meyer flew forty metres down the sideline to score out wide.

Half way through the first spell, Junior Matautia kicked a penalty goal to see the Te Puke Pirates holding a narrow 5-3 advantage at the break.

A standout of the opening forty minutes was the relentless defence from Greerton Marist.

Five minutes into the second half, Bradley Armstrong crashed over with the resulting Fletcher Carpenter conversion, taking the hosts to a 12-3 lead. Eight minutes later Te Puke stretched their advantage, when captain Joe Johnson set up a try, finished off by Declan Barnett with the Fletcher Carpenter conversion sailing over the posts. Te Puke Sports 19 Greerton Marist 3.

Te Puke Sports team members with the trophy celebrating after their fourth Baywide premier title on Saturday. Photo: Supplied.

As they had done all season, Greerton came back full throttle with a converted touchdown, which saw Greerton Marist fullback Rico Syme running in the five-pointer. Te Puke Sports 19 Greerton Marist 10.

Te Puke replacement kicker Taine Craig-Ranga slotted a penalty to give the hosts a twelve point buffer.

With time nearly up on the clock, Rico Syme, grabbed the ball for a runaway try with the conversion taking the scoreline to, Te Puke Sports 22 Greerton Marist 17. The Te Puke Pirates then held on much to the delight of their large band of supporters.

"It was fantastic to win the clubs fourth Baywide premier title," says Te Puke Sports Life Member Ross Flexman. 

"It has been another magic year for our team and player/coach Matt Wallis, who was playing his 231st premier game for the club yesterday [Saturday]." 

“From Greerton, we made history regardless, by making our first Baywide final and our club and community are immensely proud," says Greerton Marist Vice President Tim Smith.

"A tough day at the office with our Development team’s final going to extra time and a heartbreaking loss as well.

“A big congratulations to Matt and the Te Puke side, they have set the bar very high and are deserving champions. Also to Andy and the match officials who controlled the game very well. We look forward to coming back even stronger in 2025”. 

Te Puke Sports celebrating after their fourth Baywide premier title on Saturday. Photo: Supplied.

Blake Park provided plenty of celebrations for the Mount Maunganui Sports Club who took out the two title deciders played out on Saturday.

The Mount Maunganui Colts/Under 85kg team, claimed back to back Baywide titles, when they beat Te Puna in a replay of last year’s championship final. The Mount side led 16-7 after the first forty minutes, before going on to post nineteen unanswered points in the second spell, to win 35-7.

Mount Maunganui, also won the Western Bay of Plenty Rugby Sub-Union Championship, when they repelled a strong challenge staged by Greerton Marist, in a 25-17 victory. The encounter went down to the wire, going into extra time with the scores locked together at the end of regulation time.

BOPRU AR Plus Club Rugby Results, July 27 2024

BOPRU Premiership Final: Te Puke Sports 22 Greerton Marist 17 - HT 5-3

BOPRU Colts/U85kg Final: Mount Maunganui 35 Te Puna 7 - HT 16-7

WBOPRSU Championship: Mount Maunganui 25 Greerton Marist 17

Jordan Cup 2024 (WBOPRS Challenge Trophy)

2024 Holder – Tauranga Sports