A trio of Western Bay of Plenty teams playing in the Baywide Division One competition made winning starts to their Baywide campaigns on Saturday.

Photo: file.

Rangiuru squared off with new Baywide recruit Galatea at Centennial Park in Te Puke. The Te Puke-based side was always in charge and went on to post a solid 38-7 win, to take maximum points from the encounter. Rangiuru skipper Lester Roberts led his team from the front from number 8, ensuring his charges stuck to their pre-match game plan.

Four weeks ago Katikati and Judea were unable to be separated and battled to a 20-all draw. On Saturday, Judea grabbed season bragging rights and defeated the team from the Western Bay extremities 38-17 at Moore Park.

Arataki had a real arm wrestle in the Sulphur City before returning home with the win points on offer. Facing Marist St Michaels, the Western Bay side won a hard fought battle 10-3 to get their big goal of a return to the Baywide premier ranks next year under way.

Te Puke Sports Development side clung on to defeat Mount Maunganui at Blake Park after leading by 24 points at one stage of the encounter. A Mount try right on half time to Mount number 8 Max McLean resulted in Te Puke leading 24-5 at the break. Two further Mount touchdowns in the second half saw the game end with Te Puke taking home a 24-19 victory.

Te Pukes second five Jeff Smith-Lawson had a strong game with Mount Maunganui's Max McLean also in outstanding form. Mount management also praised Pera Gibbs who has come to the Western Bay from Otago and Willie Moore.

Greerton Marist proved too strong for Rotoiti at the Rotoiti stronghold at Emery Park, winning 39-10. Te Puna kicked on from a half time 29-10 lead to beat Rangataua 70-10 at Maramatanga Park, with Tauranga Sports running over Opotiki 72-5 in the Eastern Bay of Plenty

WBOPRFS Division One results:

Baywide Division One: Rangiuru 38 Galatea 7, Judea 38 Katikati 17, Arataki 10 Marist St Michaels 3.

WBOPRFS Development

Te Puna 70 Rangataua 10, Greerton Marist 39 Rotoiti 10, Tauranga Sports 72 Opotiki 5, Te Puke Sports 24 Mount Maunganui 19.