Paroa and Te Teko remain unbeaten after three rounds of the EBOP Premier Men’s competition.

Paroa grabbed a 28-25 victory over Whakatāne Marist in a thrilling contest at Rugby Park.

Paroa snared four tries through skipper Kurt Baker, number 8 Hami Smith, first five eighth Mason Raynes, who has been outstanding throughout the opening three weeks, and second five Muri Stewart, who was showing his versatility at halfback and on the wing.

Halfback Jack Clark had his kicking boots on, nailing all four conversions.

Little separated the sides, with Marist scoring three tries through flanker Ratu Gabrieli and Senijale Valesasa, while the latter also kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Ro Cava Devo also shone and veteran Steve Mapu got through a mountain of work for Marist, while Paroa’s best were Baker, Smith, Raynes and Stewart.

At Dunderdale Park in Te Teko, the home side proved too strong for a gallant Tāneatua side, running out 53-14 winners.

Midfield back Cayless Chisholm was at his rampaging best, helping himself to three tries. The others to score were centre Vinnie Te Maipi, who continues to form a formidable pairing with Chisholm, Elai Tuivaiti, Anotni Loza, Hamiora Cossey, Sasu Wihapi and Nephi Sanerive.

Te Teko have started the season in strong form and with three good victories have shown they are one to watch this season.

Chisholm was outstanding while Te Manu Herewini controlled play superbly at first five.

Bailey Williams was another to shine while Paraina Davies got through a mountain of work and Sanerive added plenty of impact when he was introduced off the bench.

With Rūātoki having the week off, the final premier contest was between Poroporo and Tirihau Victory Club, played at Poroporo.

After losing to Marist in their first game, TVC were strong across the park and rebounded with a well-earned 36-7 win in which they scored six tries.

In the EBOP Senior Reserves grade, Edgecumbe made it a third successive victory with a 47-5 hammering of Paroa B.

They scored some fabulous tries in the win with fullback Reijan Williams helping himself to a double. Other try scorers were Joziah King, Tipoira Walker, Matt Sinkinson and Lucas Clarke.

Coach Craig Sinkinson said his team was improving weekly.

“It was a good second half when the Paroa boys had a bit more ball. There was heightened energy and good feeling among the squad but there’s still room for improvement.”

He said Lucas Clarke at flanker was outstanding, getting through a tonne of work, while Sione Akua Pepa made several hard runs in the backline and some accurate defensive plays.

Te Teko B scored a hard earned 26-19 win over Matatā.

This weekend in the senior reserves, Paroa B play Te Teko B at Lawson Park and Edgecumbe host Poroporo B, looking to make it four wins in a row.

In the premier grade, Paroa and Te Teko clash, with only one team to remain unbeaten.

Whakatāne Marist face Poroporo at Rugby Park and all the way up at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whangaparaoa, TVC battle Rūātoki, with Tāneatua having the bye.

In the Baywide Premier Competition, Ōpōtiki fell to a 19-12 defeat to Greerton in a cracking clash at Princess Street Reserve, while the development team also went down 42-31 in an entertaining game.

A big bonus for rugby in the Eastern Bay this year is that they’ve managed to pick up five new referees.

A proud moment took place on Saturday as Shinoa Nikora officiated her first senior men’s rugby game between Edgecumbe and Paroa B.