Whakatāne Town showed their championship credentials with an impressive 6-0 victory over Papamoa at Rex Morpeth Park in the opening round of the Baywide men’s division 1 league.

In the past, Papamoa have been a bogey side for Town, but they were anything but in their opening game.

At times in the past, scoring goals, especially early in the season, has been a struggle for Town but they had their radar on early as Brendan Mitchell struck in the second minute.

Town continued to dominate Papamoa all over the park but went unrewarded for the remainder of the half.

Just as Papamoa thought they were getting back into the contest, they scored an own-goal to put Town ahead, 2-0. Town’s fitness and skills took over in the last 20 minutes as they netted four further goals.

Charlie Waters banged one home in the 72nd minute, before new recruit Elias Thomas managed to find the net just a minute later.

Noah Vullings scored on the 80-minute mark, while Chris Kessell finished proceedings with a tidy 82^nd- minute goal.

It was a superb team performance from Town first up.

In Baywide division 2, Ōhope Sharks’ players also had their scoring boots on as they hammered home eight goals in a demolition of Te Puke United Bay 2.
Ben Howe, one of seven debutants, was outstanding for the Sharks as he bagged himself an impressive hattrick.

Tiwai Wilson was the first to open the scoring, before Lars Voysey made it 2-0 at the 20-minute mark. Their third goal came from Howe two minutes later and then he had the home team up 4-0. Chan Thompson made it 5-0, eight minutes from halftime, Howe netted his second goal early in the second half and Sean Owen followed with two further goals to complete the rout.

Plains Rangers, at home at the Edgecumbe Domain to Ngongotaha Bay 2, managed a 1-all draw thanks to a goal from Ryan Elliot.

Kawerau Sports, playing in Baywide division 3, fell to a 5-1 loss to Waipuna Warriors but there were a lot of positives to be taken from the game with a host of new players and Connar Awhimate managing to score the goal in the loss.

The Whakatane Town Social Men’s team suffered a 2-1 loss to Papamoa over-35s.
In the Baywide women’s competition, Whakatāne Town managed a 3-2 away win at Jesse Martin Park thanks to a hattrick from skipper Abby Brogden.

The Plains Rangers women, who hosted Tauranga City Wolves, drew 1-all with Gemma Stuckey scoring the goal.

This weekend sees Whakatāne Town Bay 1 away to Waipuna, the Ōhope Sharks travelling to Katikati, Plains Rangers at home to Papamoa Bay 2. Kawerau will be looking to bounce back against Tauranga Blue Rovers at Tarawera Park.

The Whakatāne Town social men’s team face the Waipuna legends at Rex Morpeth Park.

Whakatāne’s women’s team have a bye which isn’t ideal as there are no games Easter Weekend or ANZAC leaving them without a clash until early May.
Plains Rangers women are away to Otumoetai FC.