The intensity of the Baywide Premier title race ratcheted up after play resumed on Saturday, following last weekend’s Kings Birthday holiday break.

Baywide Premier Competition leaders Te Puke Sports were given a real fright, when Greerton Marist visited the Pirates headquarters at Murray Salt Stadium.

Greerton took control of the proceedings with a 10 nil lead before Te Puke Sports got points on the board in a very physical game.

It took the home side twenty-five minutes into the second spell before they hit the front, 12-10.

Baywide Premier teams Te Puke Sports won against Greerton Marist 17-15 at Murray Salt Stadium on Saturday, June 7. Photo/Te Puke Sports.

Greerton came back with a try, before Te Puke No 11 Kolinio Gonebale dotted the ball down in the corner, to take the home team to a hard fought 17-15 victory.

Rotorua representatives, Whakarewarewa, who sit in second on the standings also had to survive a spirited challenge, from Mount Maunganui at Puarenga Park. 

The hosts led by just two (14-12) after forty minutes, before scoring a converted try in the second spell to bank a 21-15 win.

Te Puke Sports' mascot. Photo/Te Puke Sports.

Tauranga Sports ran in 13 tries in beating Rangataua 77-5, leapfroging Te Puna who sat out the bye, and moving into the top four.

Tauranga Sports Colts/Under 85kg team won an entertaining clash with Greerton Marist at the Tauranga Domain. 

The hosts seemed to have the game in the bag, when they led 40 points to 12, twelve minutes into the second half, however Greerton came back hard to post 19 points, which saw Tauranga Sports finally grab the win points on offer, 45-31.

Other age-group sides to post victories were competition leaders Te Puke Sports, who ran over Marist St Michael's 82-5; Papamoa, and Mount Maunganui.

Baywide Premier teams Te Puke Sports won against Greerton Marist 17-15 at Murray Salt Stadium on Saturday, June 7. Photo/Te Puke Sports.

The Western Bay of Plenty Championship round robin competition sees Katikati lead Rangiuru by a solitary point with Arataki just another one point in arrears.

The weekend matchups resulted in Arataki squeezing past Eastern Districts 30-27, Rangiuru beating Papamoa 50-14, and Katikati defeating the combined Judea and Matakana Island side 41-12.

A Baywide Development encounter between Whakarewarewa and Mount Maunganui finished in a 19 all draw. Tauranga Sports repelled a solid challenge from Rangataua 43-28, with Greerton Marist triumphant against Te Puke Sports, 36-28.

Baywide Premier teams Te Puke Sports won against Greerton Marist 17-15 at Murray Salt Stadium on Saturday, June 7. Photo/Te Puke Sports.

Jordan Cup 2025 (WBOPRS Challenge Trophy)

2024 Holder – Tauranga Sports

Round One (22 March) Greerton Marist 49 Tauranga Sports 10

Round Two (29 March) Te Puna 24 Greerton Marist 22

Round Three (5 April) Te Puna the bye

Round Four (12 April) Tauranga Sports 42 Te Puna 36 (HT 22-17)

Round Five (26 April) Te Puke Sports 51 Tauranga Sports 21

Round Six (3 May) Te Puke Sports 28 Te Puna 19

Round Seven (10 May) Te Puke Sports 81 Rangataua 5

Round Nine (24 May) Te Puke Sports 38 Mount Maunganui 35

Round Ten: (7 June) Te Puke Sports 17 Greerton Marist 15

Next Challenge 20 June – Te Puke Sports v Tauranga Sports, Murray Salt Stadium

BOPRU/WBOPRS Rugby Results 7 June 2025

Baywide Premier: Te Puke Sports 17 Greerton Marist 15 (HT 0-7) Tauranga Sports 77 Rangataua 5 (HT 29-5) Whakarewarewa 21 Mount Maunganui 15 (HT 14-12) Te Puna the bye.

Points Table (Provisional) Te Puke Sports 40, Whakarewarewa 38, Greerton Marist 25, Tauranga Sports 22, Te Puna 19, Mount Maunganui 19, Rangataua 1.

Baywide Development: Greerton Marist 36 Te Puke Sports 28, Tauranga Sports 43 Rangataua 28, Whakarewarewa 19 Mount Maunganui 19.

Baywide Colts/U85kg: Te Puke Sports 82 Marist St Michael's 5, Papamoa 50 Te Teko 15, Mount Maunganui 45 Taupo 24, Tauranga Sports 45 Greerton Marist 31.

WBOPRS Championship: Arataki 30 Eastern Districts 27, Rangiuru 50 Papamoa 14, Katikati 41 Judea/Matakana Island 12.

Points Table (Provisional) Katikati 37, Rangiuru 36, Arataki 35, Eastern Districts 16, Papamoa 10, Judea/Matakana Island 1.