Nine times Baywide Premier champions, Tauranga Sports, who had made a slow start to the season, laid down their title challenge in round eleven when they defeated Te Puna on Saturday at Tauranga Domain.

The hosts led 29-12 at the halfway stage of the encounter before waltzing away to post a 53-22 victory.

Sports first-five Lucas Cashmore scored 18 points with a try, five conversions and a penalty goal, while skipper Tamiro Armstrong and Vishal Toi Toi both grabbed two five-pointers apiece. Te Puna picked up their eighth bonus point of the competition courtesy of four tries.

Tauranga Sports have shrugged off their slow start to the season. Photo / Tauranga Sports Rugby Club

Whakarewarewa overcame a spirited first half challenge from Greerton Marist, with the score was locked at 14 points apiece at the halfway break. The second spell was owned by the Rotorua visitors who ran in four further touchdowns to take home a 45-14 victory.

The Whaka win takes then back to the top of the standings with Te Puke Sports sitting out the bye.

Mount Maunganui got within touching distance of the top four, after they repelled a spirited Rangataua challenge 31-22, at Mount headquarters at Blake Park.

Eastern Districts threw the form book out the window, in their clash with competition front-runner Katikati in a Western Bay of Plenty Championship match. ED came from fourth spot on the standings, to topple Katikati who went into the encounter at the top of the standings.

Tauranga Sports posted a big win. Photo / Tauranga Sports Rugby Club

The BOPRU website shows, that the team from the southern end of the Western Bay beat the side that sit at the northern border 20-5.

Rangiuru moved to the top of the points ladder after they got past the Judea/Matakana Island representatives, 54-5. Arataki remained in contention for a home semi-final with a hard-fought battle before posting a 26-22 win.

Te Puke Sports, maintained their unbeaten run in the Baywide Colts/Under 85kg competition, showcasing their young talent in a 76-7 victory over Pāpāmoa. Max Campbell led the scoring stakes with four touchdowns while Carson Edwards slotted eight conversions.

Greerton Marist thrashed Taupō 67-12. Photo / Greerton Marist Recreation & Community SC

Other age-group teams to win included Greerton Marist thrashing Taupō 67-12, Mount Maunganui putting on 62 unanswered points against Te Teko, and Tauranga Sports getting home 35-12 over Marist St Michael’s.

Baywide Development teams to bank the win points on offer, were Whakarewarewa, Tauranga Sports and Mount Maunganui.

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

Round Six (3 May) Te Puke Sports 28 Te Puna 19

Round Seven (10 May) Te Puke Sports 81 Rangataua 5

Round Nine (24 May) Te Puke Sports 38 Mount Maunganui 35

Round Ten: (7 June) Te Puke Sports 17 Greerton Marist 15

Next Challenge 20 June – Te Puke Sports v Tauranga Sports, Murray Salt Stadium

BOPRU/WBOPRS Rugby Results 14 June 2025

Baywide Premier: Tauranga Sports 53 Te Puna 22 (HT 29 12) Whakarewarewa 45 Greerton Marist 14 (HT 14-14) Mount Maunganui 31 Rangataua 22, Te Puke Sports the bye.

Points Table (Provisional) Whakarewarewa 43, Te Puke Sports 40, Tauranga Sports 27, Greerton Marist 25, Mount Maunganui 24, Te Puna 20, Rangataua 1.

Baywide Development: Tauranga Sports 27 Te Puna 20, Whakarewarewa 29 Greerton Marist 27, Mount Maunganui 62 Rangataua 14.

Baywide Colts/U85kg: Te Puke Sports 76 Papamoa 7, Greerton Marist 67 Taupo 12, Tauranga Sports 35 Marist St Michael’s 12, Mount Maunganui 62 Te Teko 0.

WBOPRS Championship:

Points Table (Provisional)

WBOPRS: Rangiuru 54 Judea/Matakana Island 5, Arataki 26 Papamoa 22, Eastern Districts 20 Katikati 5*.

Points: Rangiuru 41, Arataki 40, Katikati 37, Eastern Districts 25, Papamoa 11, Judea/Matakana Island 1.

*Score subject to confirmation.

All Draws & Points Tables can be found at www.boprugby.co.nz