There is a logjam in the middle of the Bayfair Baywide title race after two upset results on Saturday. Just three points separate six teams, with three rounds remaining before the playoffs.

Photo: file.

Katikati upset former premier contender Kahukura in an arm wrestle at Moore Park, taking out a hard fought 13-3 victory. The Katikati victory moves them into third place on the standings and puts the side from the extremities of the Western Bay of Plenty in real contention for a Division One playoffs berth.

Arataki were upset by Poroporo in Whakatane when the Eastern Bay side prevailed 32-18. The Grenada Park based side has slipped down the standings to sixth place. However, with two of their three remaining qualifying encounters against lowly placed Ngongotaha and Reporoa, they are well placed make the top four to contest the semi-finals.

Rangiuru continue to lead the point's ladder after an easy 48-7 win over Reporoa on the Bay of Plenty border. Judea is also within striking distance of the playoffs after posting 25 unanswered points against Ngongotaha.

Tauranga Sports and Te Puke Sports retained their unbeaten Baywide Development records after posting big wins in round eight. Tauranga Sports provided Greerton Marist with their first loss of the Baywide competition with Tauranga winning 58-nil, while Te Puke Sports ran over Rangataua 52-nil in the early game at Murray Salt Stadium. Mount Maunganui leap-frogged Greerton into third place on the standings after beating Paroa 55-5 at Blake Park.

While the Western Bay Colts competition has concluded, the Greerton Marist age group team has continued to play rugby in the Western Bay of Plenty Reserve Grade competition. Club management made a successful approach to the Western Bay of Plenty Sub-Union and will play out the season against older opposition.

On Saturday they meet their Greerton Reserve counterparts at Greerton Park, with the youngsters learning a lot against a team of mostly wily veterans. The Greerton Reserves posted a 44-7 win in a match where the final scoreline didn't reflect the relatively close contest. Tyrone Pryor crossed for the Greerton Colts touchdown with Zac Short slotting the conversion.

Western Bay of Plenty Rugby results, June 20

Bayfair Baywide Division One: Rangiuru 48 Reporoa 7, Katikati 13 Kahukura 3, Judea 25 Ngongotaha 0, Poroporo 32 Arataki 18.

Points Table (Provisional) Rangiuru 34, Te Teko 31, Poroporo 26, Katikati 25, Kahukura 25, Arataki 24, Judea 24, Marist St Michaels 23, Ruatoki 16, Galatea 6, Ngongotaha 5, Reporoa 0.

Baywide Development: Te Puke Sports 52 Rangataua 0, Tauranga Sports 58 Greerton Marist 0, Mount Maunganui 55 Paroa 5.

Points Table (Provisional) Tauranga Sports 40, Te Puke Sports 40, Mount Maunganui 36, Greerton Marist 35, Whakatane Marist 21, Te Puna 15, Opotiki 15, Whakarewarewa 15, Rangataua 11, Waikite 7, Rotoiti 5, Paroa 2.