Whaka down Rotoiti in big guns clash | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

Whakarewarewa and Rangataua were the big movers on the points table on a day where the top three teams in the Bartercard Baywide Premier title race suffered defeat.

The battle between the two Rotorua heavyweights saw Whakarewarewa defeat Rotoiti 30-17 at Emery Park. The visitors were in charge in the first spell, taking a 16-7 advantage into the half-time break.

Whakarewarewa continued to pile on the pressure in the second spell, running in two further tries. Whaka kicker Kelly Haimona was in fine touch, adding 15 points through three conversions and three penalty goals.

The Whakarewarewa win returned the Tai Mitchell Shield, which is a long-time Rotorua rugby trophy, to the Whaka trophy cabinet.

Western Bay contenders Rangataua moved within striking distance of the top four when they just got home against long time local rivals Te Puna, at Maramatanga Park.

In recent years the encounters between the two sides have been in doubt until the final whistle, with Saturday's game being little different.

Te Puna took a grip on the game, leading 20-15 in the second spell, before Rangataua crossed for a try with just a few minutes remaining in the match. With the conversion sailing between the posts the visitors then held on to win the game 22-20.

Whakatane Marist took advantage of competition leaders Tauranga Sports being without their senior representative players to earn their most significant victory of the season.

The additional challenge of meeting the defending Baywide champions at home at the Tauranga Domain didn't faze the Eastern Bay side, who won 29-23.

Second placed Mount Maunganui were another side to have a number of their senior team members sit on the sideline because of Steamers' duty the day before.

However, Te Puke Sports meant business from the opening whistle and led all the way, posting a 30-20 victory.

Te Puke Sports took the Jordan Cup, the Western BOP challenge trophy, from Mount Maunganui, and now sit comfortably in third place on the points ladder

Te Amo Wilbore, who is one of the rising stars of age group rugby in the Bay of Plenty, led the way with three touchdowns as Opotiki defeated a game Te Teko 32-29 in a real nail-biter at Te Teko headquarters.

In the Division One competition, Waikite and Rangiuru both posted reasonably narrow wins over Kahukura and Greerton Marist respectively to still sit well clear of the other teams on the points ledger.

Former Premier champion Ngongotaha moved into third position when they waltzed away from Marist St Michaels 23-0, Paroa winning the Eastern Bay derby against Ruatoki 29-22.

While the final score in the Baywide Colts game, between competition leaders Te Puke Sports and Greerton Marist, would suggest an easy Te Puke victory, Te Puke only broke clear in the last quarter to post a 31-17 victory.

Greerton led 10-0 early in the match before the scores were locked at 10-all at half time. At 21-17 Te Puke held a narrow lead, before they broke clear in the last quarter to take out the match 31-17.