While Rangiuru were narrowly beaten by Te Teko in a Baywide Division One encounter in the Eastern Bay of Plenty on Saturday, the march was an old fashioned battle of attrition that went down to the referee's final whistle.

Photo: file.

Rangiuru team manager Mark Basham said the match epitomised the best in BOP Baywide club rugby, with full-on intensity and bone-jarring tackles from both teams.

A large crowd of supporters from both clubs lined Dunderdale Park in Te Teko and received their money's worth in terms of non-stop action throughout the game. The Rangiuru team had extra motivation playing in memory of Rangiuru stalwart Eru Gray, who passed away recently.

The match went down to the wire before the home side took out a narrow 17-15 victory. Silisi Leota, son of legendary Rangiuru player Andrew, was awarded his team's Player of the Day award while halfback Carlos Basham also had an outstanding match. The Rangiuru round 10 result has them tied at the top of the standings with Te Teko, with victory over Kahukura in the last qualifying round next weekend, earning them a home semi-final.

Katikati cemented their place in middle of the Division One standings at Moore Park in Katikati. They defeated Eastern Bay visitors Ruatoki 27-5 to sit in sixth place on the standings. Judea tasted defeat when they journeyed to Rotorua being beaten by Marist St Michaels 22-12, while Arataki won by default from Ngongotaha.

The Mount Maunganui Development side has given themselves a shot at a home semi-final after they put away Greerton Marist in the early game at Blake Park. The Mount side posted a 24-15 win which means if they defeat Tauranga Sports next Saturday, they should have a home venue for their semifinal. Mount Maunganui Player of the Day was number seven Sam Mathis, who travels from Rotorua each weekend to play for the Mount Maunganui second fifteen.

Te Puke Sports won the battle between the two unbeaten Baywide Development sides when they got past Tauranga Sports 15-12 in a hard fought curtain-raiser at Murray Salt Stadium. Te Puna overran Waikite 54-5 at Maramatanga Park, with Rangataua beating Opotiki 24-15 in the Eastern BOP.

Western Bay of Plenty rugby results, July 4:

Baywide Division One:

Te Teko 17, Rangiuru 15, Katikati 27 Ruatoki 5, Marist St Michaels 22, Judea 12, Arataki won by default.

Points Table (Provisional) Rangiuru 40, Te Teko 40, Poroporo 35, Arataki 33, Kahukura 33, Katikati 30, Marist St Michaels 27, Judea 23, Ruatoki 20, Galatea 11, Ngongotaha 5, Reporoa 0.

Baywide Development: Te Puke Sports 15, Tauranga Sports 12, Te Puna 54 Waikite 5, Mount Maunganui 24 Greerton Marist 15, Rangataua 24 Opotiki 15.

Points Table (Provisional) Te Puke Sports 49, Tauranga Sports 46, Mount Maunganui 46, Greerton Marist 35, Whakatane Marist 27, Te Puna 25, Opotiki 19, Whakarewarewa 16, Waikite 15, Rangataua 15, Rotoiti 11, Paroa 7.