Rangiuru cemented their place at the top of the Baywide Division One standings after winning the Western Bay derby against Arataki at Grenada Park on Saturday.

Photo: file.

In a match where both teams took few backward steps, the game went down to the wire before Rangiuru emerged with a hard fought 13-10 victory. The result reversed the Arataki 15-8 win in the Western Bay of Plenty competition in April.

Katikati went on the attack at home at Moore Park where they steamrolled Eastern Bay visitors Galatea 66-5. The Katikati win sees them sit in third place in the standings. However, they face a stern challenge next weekend against Eastern Bay number one Te Teko. Judea were dealt a blow to their Division One top four aspirations after being beaten by Poroporo 41-3 at Judea headquarters at Maharaia Winiata Park.

At the half way stage of the Baywide Division One title race, Rangiuru lead the way with Katikati also in the top four, while Arataki lurk just one point adrift in fifth position.

Mount Maunganui has been the big mover in the Baywide Development competition in recent weeks. On Saturday they moved to within four points of the joint competition leaders, with a 41-nil win over Whakarewarewa in the early game at Blake Park.

After leading 17 nil at the break, they posted another 24 points in the second spell to take out a solid 41-point victory. Doug Law grabbed three tries while Mount number six Tim Holdezos had an outstanding game. Another to shine for the winners was Ezra Thomsen who was awarded his side's player of the day prize.

Tauranga Sports, Te Puke Sports and Greerton Marist, who sit at the top of the standings, all banked bonus point wins on Saturday. Greerton Marist beat fellow Western Bay side Rangatua 48-5, Te Puke Sports got past Waikite 47-7, while Tauranga Sports defeated Paroa 33-nil.

Te Puna returned home from the extremities of the Eastern Bay with their second victory of the season after getting past Opotiki 26-24.

Western Bay of Plenty Rugby results, June 6:

Baywide Division One

Rangiuru 13 Arataki 10, Poroporo 41 Judea 3, Katikati 66 Galatea 5.

Points Table (Provisional) Rangiuru 24, Te Teko 21, Katikati 21, Kahukura 20, Arataki 19, Marist St Michaels 19, Poroporo 16, Judea 14, Ruatoki 14, Galatea 6, Ngongotaha 5, Reporoa 0.

Baywide Development

Te Puke Sports 47 Waikite 7, Tauranga Sports 33 Paroa 0, Greerton Marist 48 Rangataua 5, Te Puna 26 Opotiki 24, Mount Maunganui 41 Whakarewarewa 0.

Points Table (Provisional)

Tauranga Sports 30, Te Puke Sports 30, Greerton Marist 30, Mount Maunganui 26, Whakatane Marist 15, Rangataua 11, Whakarewarewa 10, Opotiki 9, Te Puna 9, Waikite 6, Rotoiti 4, Paroa 2.