Defending Baywide champions Mount Maunganui lurk a solitary point behind current top dog Tauranga Sports, after repelling a spirited challenge from Rotorua's Whakarewarewa at Blake Park.

The intensity of the first half on Saturday was reflected in a stalemate without any points on the board, until Mount sharp shooter Carlos Price booted home a penalty goal at the 35 minute mark.

The first try of the rugged encounter came with a Danny Kayes touchdown 11 minutes into the second half, followed in quick succession by Reon Paul crossing for five points some five minutes later.

Carlos Price converted both Mount Maunganui tries with the hosts leading by 17 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Rotorua side then threw plenty at the Mount defence, who repelled all the Whaka attacking play, with the home side claiming a 17 nil win.

Tauranga Sports beat Judea at home at the Tauranga Domain, to sit at the top of the standings after six rounds of the Baywide title race.

Judea were well in the match in trailing by just 16 points at the break, before Tauranga Sports cut loose in the second spell to post a 48-10 victory.

Tauranga Sports right wing Josh Honey will long remember the match in playing his 100th game for the Raptors.

Rangiuru moved to four points of the competition leaders, when they beat Katikati 57-12, after posting 40 unanswered points in the first half.

Te Puke Sports got past Rangataua 43-12, Greerton Marist returned from their road trip with a 42-5 win over Rotoiti, while Te Puna beat Ngongotaha 52 nil.

Eastern District kept their unbeaten record intact after inflicting a 28-10 defeat on Papamoa in Western Bay of Plenty Rugby.

Arataki beat Greerton Marist by nine points to remain in contention for the Western Bay Baywide promotion berth.

Mount Maunganui withstood a strong Matakana Island forward pack to win 38 nil, while Te Puke Sports won a high scoring affair against Rangataua 45-29 and Tauranga Sports beat Judea by 62 unanswered points with Rangiuru posting the W in their match with Katikati.

Mount Maunganui and Te Puna opened the Bay of Plenty Colts competition in the early action at Blake Park.

Mount Maunganui, led by captain Asher Delany-Townsend, won a gripping struggle, 15-7, after the scores were locked at seven points apiece at half-time.

Taupo United, who are playing by invitation in the Bay of Plenty competition, were too strong for Te Puke Sports winning 45 nil, with Greerton Marist beating Kahukura 22-0.

BOPRU Baywide Results – Week Six 20 May 2023

Tauranga Sports 48 Judea 10 (HT 26-10) Rangiuru 57 Katikati 12 (HT 40-0) Te Puke Sports 43 Rangataua 12 (HT 31-7) Greerton Marist 42 Rotoiti 5 (HT 21-0) Mount Maunganui 17 Whakarewarewa 0 (HT 3-0) Te Puna 52 Ngongotaha 0 (HT 26-0)

Points Table (Provisional) Tauranga Sports 25, Mount Maunganui 24, Te Puke Sports 24, Te Puna 23, Rangiuru 21, Whakarewarewa 20, Greerton Marist 17, Ngongotaha 10, Rangataua 8, Rotoiti 6, Judea 1, Katikati 0.

Correction: 13 May - Mount Maunganui 57 Te Puke Sports 3.

WBOPRS Development/Local Rugby Results

Te Puke Sports 45 Rangataua 29, Tauranga Sports 62 Judea 0, Rangiuru 24 Katikati 10, Arataki 34 Greerton Marist 25, Mount Maunganui 38 Matakana Island 0, Eastern Districts 28 Papamoa 10, Te Puna the bye.

Points Table (Provisional) Eastern Districts 25, Te Puna 23, Arataki 23, Mount Maunganui 21, Te Puke Sports 20, Tauranga Sports 20, Greerton Marist 16, Rangiuru 15, Papamoa 9, Rangataua 7, Matakana Island 5, Katikati 1, Judea 0.

WBOPRS Baywide Promotion Competition (Provisional) Eastern Districts 25, Arataki 23, Papamoa 9, Matakana Island 5.

BOPRU Colts Results

Taupo United 45 Te Puke Sports 0, Mount Maunganui 15 Te Puna 7, Greerton Marist 22 Kahukura 0.

Points Table (Provisional) Taupo United 5, Greerton Marist 5, Mount Maunganui 4, Te Puna 0, Kahukura 0, Te Puke Sports 0.

Jordan Cup Results 2023

2022 Holder – Tauranga Sports

22 April Mount Maunganui 41 Tauranga Sports 19

29 April Mount Maunganui 59 Rangataua 0

6 May Mount Maunganui 75 Judea 7

13 May Mount Maunganui 57 Te Puke Sports 8

Next Challenge

10 June Mount Maunganui v Katikati, Blake Park

BOPRU Baywide Draw 27 May 2023 (2.45pm)

Te Puke v Judea, Murray Salt Stadium; Greerton Marist v Katikati, Greerton Park; Whakarewarewa v Rangataua, Puarenga Park; Te Puna v Rotoiti, Maramatanga Park; Ngongotaha v Mount Maunganui, Ngongotaha Domain; Rangiuru v Tauranga Sports, Centennial Park.

WBOPRFS Development/Local Rugby Draw 27 May (1pm)

Greerton Marist v Katikati, Greerton Park; Eastern Districts v Rangataua, Paengaroa Domain; Te Puna v Arataki, Maramatanga Park; Rangiuru v Tauranga Sports, Centennial Park, Papamoa v Matakana Island, Gordon Spratt Reserve; Mount Maunganui the bye.

BOPRU Colts Competition 27 May (1pm)

Te Puke Sports v Mount Maunganui, Murray Salt Stadium; Taupo United v Greerton Marist @ Taupo; Te Puna v Kahukura, Maramatanga Park.