The six Western Bay of Plenty sides in the Baywide Premier Rugby title race played catch-up in round five on Saturday, with competition frontrunners Whakarewarewa sitting on the sideline courtesy of the bye.

Reigning Premier titleholders, Te Puke Sports, travelled to the Tauranga Domain to square off with nine times Baywide Champions Tauranga Sports.

The visitors made the early running and led 19-nil halfway through the first spell. Tauranga Sports rallied their troops, and ran in two converted tries, with Te Puke Sports holding a 19-14 advantage at half time.

Te Puke Sports then upped in the second half, to score a further five touchdowns in a comprehensive 51-21 victory.

Te Puke Sports playing Tauranga Sports on Saturday, April 26. Photo/Rick Moran.

Te Puke Sports scoring machine, Fletcher Carpenter posted 26 points from three tries, four conversions and a penalty goal. Te Puke Sports hooker, Matt Stewart, will long remember the match in playing his blazer game.

The WBOPRFS Challenge Trophy of the Jordan Cup changed hands for the fourth time this season.

Greerton Marist celebrated Anzac Day with a solid 41-13 win over Mount Maunganui at Blake Park, while Te Puna were too strong for Rangataua, winning 45-7.

The eight team Baywide Colts/Under 85kg competition kicked off, with Greerton Marist beating Mount Maunganui 32-7 in the early action on Anzac Day.

Te Puke Sports playing Tauranga Sports on Saturday, April 26. Photo/Rick Moran.

Tauranga Sports beat Papamoa 46-17, Te Puke Sports posted 64 unanswered points against Te Teko, with Taupo getting past Marist St Michaels 51-33 in a high scoring encounter.

Mount Maunganui defeated Greerton Marist Development 34-19, with Te Puke Sports winning a good tussle with Tauranga Sports 31-19, in the curtain raiser at the Tauranga Domain.

Western Bay of Plenty Championship honours were taken out by Arataki, Rangiuru and Katikati.

Jordan Cup 2025 (WBOPRS Challenge Trophy)

2024 Holder – Tauranga Sports

Round One (22 March) Greerton Marist 49 Tauranga Sports 10

Round Two (29 March) Te Puna 24 Greerton Marist 22

Round Three (5 April) Te Puna the bye

Round Four (12 April) Tauranga Sports 42 Te Puna 36 (HT 22-17)

Round Five (26 April) Te Puke Sports 51 Tauranga Sports 21

Next Challenge 3 May - Te Puke Sports v Te Puna, Murray Salt Stadium

BOPRU/ WBOPRS Rugby Results April 26 2025

Baywide Premier: Te Puke Sports 51 Tauranga Sports 21, Te Puna 45 Rangataua 7, Greerton Marist 41 Mount Maunganui 13, Whakarewarewa the bye.

Baywide Development: Mount Maunganui 34 Greerton Marist 19, Te Puke Sports 31 Tauranga Sports 19, Te Puna won by default.

Baywide Colts: Greerton Marist 32 Mount Maunganui 7, Tauranga Sports 46 Papamoa 17, Te Puke Sports 64 Te Teko 0. Taupo 51 Marist St Michaels 33.

WBOPRS Championship: Arataki 24 Eastern Districts 12, Rangiuru 43 Papamoa 18, Katikati 31 Judea/Matakana Island 6.

-Barry Leabourn is a volunteer sports writer in the Bay of Plenty.