Poroporo claimed their first win of the season with a hard-fought 17-13 home victory over Tāneatua on Saturday.

The clash between the two previously winless teams proved a thrilling contest.

Very little separated them throughout the match, with Poroporo getting the win after outscoring the visitors three tries to two.

Poroporo coach Christian Kora said it was fantastic for his team to grab their first win of the year.

“I am really proud of the boys. Actually, proud is an understatement.

“Every week, win or lose, we get to training. We keep improving the new structures we put in place. Everything is getting fine-tuned and the pieces are slowly coming together.”

Kora said despite the lack of victories, the team had remained positive.

“I knew we would have a tough start to the season –- new season, new culture and new standards. We’re excited for the rest of the season.”

Several Poroporo players have continued to shine each week, none more so than Dylan Maui, Jordan Rakuraku and Chris Kilgarriff-Taylor.

Tāneatua may not have had any success yet, but they continue to fight hard each each week and players like Cade Coxon, Daniel Teepa, Sitiveni Kutalele and Tamarau Amoroa-Spence have been superb week after week.

Played on Friday night to celebrate the opening of the new lights on field 1 at Rugby Park, Whakatāne Marist overcame Rūātoki, 31-24.

The home side managed five tries, with prop Sitiveni Uitalia bagging a double along with winger Cody Neale. Halfback Samiuela Paumolevuka also found his way across the line.

For Rūātoki, standout first five Beaudein Waaka helped himself to a brace of tries, while Whare Williams and former Poroporo captain Aymon Te Hauwaho also scored.

The seven-point loss saw Rūātoki bag two bonus points from the defeat, keeping them well in the top-four hunt.

In a tight contest up the Coast at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whangaparaoa, Paroa, thanks to a second-half try from Eru Kohunui saw them grab the spoils 10-5 in a low-scoring clash against Tihirau Victory Club.

Paroa’s other try went to hard-working hooker Harley Turner, who got through a mountain of work.

TVC’s Bless Perese-Elliot and Tutere Waenga were the best on display for the home team.

In the senior reserve competition, Matatā hammered Poroporo B 57-20 as midfielder Loa Ma’afu-Roberts and fullback Michale Flavell scored two tries each.

All up, Matatā bagged nine tries with an impressive win, keeping them well in the hunt for a home semifinal spot.

Poroporo showed some good signs and will be hoping for a win over the next few weeks.

In the other clash, played as the curtain raiser to the Marist and Rūātoki clash at Rugby Park, Paroa B snared the spoils over Waimana 24-13, thanks to second-half tries to replacement hooker Austyn Te Naiti, who scored a pair and replacement back Brimsy Marshall.

Waimana showed they’re a tough side to put away and will be right in the mix when the finals roll around.

Te Teko B and Edgecumbe had a bye.

This weekend sees Te Teko B and Waimana battle at Dunderdale Park, while Paroa B host Poroporo B in a battle of the neighbours.

In the premier section, Paroa welcomes Poroporo B in what will be a hotly contested battle.

Te Teko are back in action this week facing TVC. Neighbours Tāneatua and Rūātoki jostle at Rob Shaw Park in the final clash of the weekend. Whakatāne Marist have the bye.

Meanwhile, in the Baywide Premier competition Ōpōtiki lost 30-23 to Mount Maunganui but picked up a bonus point for losing within seven points. The development team lost 59-28 to the Mount development side.