Any team on their day can beat any other team in the Eastern Bay Premier Men’s competition, and that was almost the case on Saturday.

Paroa were given a huge fright by Rūātoki but managed to hold on to win 38-36 in what was an entertaining clash that saw both teams spread the ball and play with width.

It was a much-needed test for Paroa, who survived a couple of scares against Whakatāne Marist and Ōpōtiki in round one, before drawing and winning.

For the clash, Paroa were down on personnel, so regular flanker Kurt Baker was forced into lock, while some other key figures were missing.

Fullback Ethan Wharewera is still having a strong season and showed plenty of his silky skills.

Paroa managed to score six tries with Mason Raynes helping himself to a double. The others to score were Issac Tai, Ngatiki Wera-Cook, Rihari Biddle and Muri Stewart.

Rūātoki, have been hit hard by injuries and player unavailability, but were boosted by the appearance of All Blacks Sevens star Ngarohi McGarvery-Black, who made a massive difference and helped himself to a hattrick.

Paroa captain Kurt Baker was proud of the effort his team put in to hold out Rūātoki.

“We are really stoked with the result. We played well in the first half, capitalised on a lot of possession and territory. Rūātoki went to their strengths in the second half, carrying hard, and we struggled to stop their momentum.

“I am super-proud of my lads for their efforts in the dying minutes of the game and having cool heads and defending the line really well.”

Baker said Raynes was a standout, while Wera-Cook and Hami Smith both had strong games.

Rūātoki coach Mark Pouwhare said it was a gutsy performance from his side.
‘It was a game of two halves. Paroa played all the rugby in the first half, strung multiple phases together and scored off the back of them. Our defensive line was flat, and we missed too many first-up tackles. In the second half, we got our hands on the ball, built some pressure and scored some good tries. I am proud because we gave ourselves a chance to win that game when it looked as if Paroa would run away with it. Our reserves added good value. It was a good day of rugby.”

He said having McGarvey-Black in the Rūātoki colours lifted the team.

“His speed is just next level, and he scored tries only he could have.”

At Poroporo, it was the away team, Te Teko, that picked up their first win in five weeks with a hard- fought 28-7 triumph over Poroporo.

Te Teko welcomed back experienced figures Te Oranga Headifen, Carlos Savage, Dylan Conn and Asa Wimutu for the contest and it made a huge difference, helping lift the younger members in the squad.

Te Teko coach Sasu Wihapi said he was pleased for the team that they managed to get a victory.

“It was good to get that result after five straight losses. The boys can be proud of their performance. We had to look internally to find the solutions but also trust ourselves and know the process we are doing works and have self-belief that we’re good enough to compete.”

At Rob Shaw Park, Braeden Elmiger continued his fine season with four tries as Ōpōtiki won, 74-3.

It was Ōpōtiki’s third straight 50-point win and set them up nicely for the second round.

A fast start secured them their victory as they scored six tries in the opening 20 minutes, but then Tāneatua held their own and restricted Ōpōtiki to just one try until the final 15 minutes where they ran in another five, to end the clash strongly.

Replacement Andre Biddle added plenty when he came on and helped himself to a double, while Tamarau Karepa found plenty of space against his former team.

In the EBOP Senior A division, a Brett Haugh hattrick helped Edgecumbe to a 41-24 win over neighbours Matatā at the Edgecumbe Domain.

Haugh was outstanding and led from the front with an inspiring display.

Coach Criag Sinkinson said the win was reward for many hard weeks of toil.

“It was a hard-earned victory; a long time coming. We are slowly starting to show a bit of potential and just all continuing to work hard for each other. There was an ex-Edgecumbe club player, Dean Towler, who died in a car accident last week and it gave the boys plenty of added motivation to honour him and his memory.

“There is still plenty to work on, but things are building slowly and we’re taking it one step at a time.”

In Waimana, hattricks to loose forwards Jayden Brown and Taumanu Walker set up the home team for an impressive 60-5 hammering of Ōpōtiki B.

Others to score included Tama Titoko, James Taha, Kaedyn Marshall and Tatai Harris.

Waimana are shaping as the team to beat in this division and continue to play some strong rugby.

Four tries to Paroa B fullback Kelly Downes helped his team to a 29-23 win over Rūātoki B.

Te Teko B carried on their solid form with a hard-earned 36-29 victory against Poroporo B at Poroporo.

They scored six tries all up with Jackson Shortland helping him to a pair. Sheldon Williams was also superb.

Darntay Coake scored a try for Poroporo and was one of their best on display.

This weekend, Whakatāne Marist and Rūātoki play their clash that was deferred from earlier in the season, otherwise the competition resumes on June 7 when Ōpōtiki face Poroporo, Te Teko battle Paroa, while Marist host Tāneatua.

In the Senior A grade, Poroporo welcome Waimana, Paroa B tackles Ōpōtiki B, Rūātoki B face Matatā and Edgecumbe host Te Teko B.