It’s been a fantastic start to the season for Te Teko’s premier men’s side and that continued on Saturday.

They managed a hard-fought 34-26 victory over Paroa at Lawson Park to shoot to the top of the standings.

Te Teko, coached by Don Te Maipi, Sasu Wihapi and Tui Mika have built a strong team culture and that’s laying the foundations for their strong start to the season.

In the win they scored six tries with all of them going to different try scorers, Te Manu Herewini, Cayless Chisholm, Eden Sanerive, Vinnie Te Maipi, Ruben Chisholm and hard-working captain Bailey Williams.

Te Maipi said it was good to get one over Paroa.

“It was the first time we’d beaten them in a couple of years. Our B’s also managed to get a win, so overall it was a good day out at Lawson Park.

“It wasn’t easy; they started coming back in the final 10 minutes and scored a couple of tries. Their fitness was better than ours.”

The game was a free-flowing clash, refereed by the Eastern Bay’s best referee Jaco Brouwer.

“It’s great being able to have someone of his quality taking our games here in the Eastern Bay.”

Te Maipi said both teams at the club had good numbers and consistent selections were culminating in good results.

“The boys have really played well. They are doing the main things well, and Bailey has been leading them superbly.”

He said their loose forwards and the rest of the forwards were outstanding.

“A couple of boys have had to shift out into the backs and they’ve thrived out there. It’s been great to see them do well.”

The development team is also in good form and Te Maipi said both teams had good numbers.

“We had 29 numbers at training and they had 18. Usually, our reserves will play for the development team before our premier game, but that hasn’t been the case lately as they’ve got a settled club, and that’s great for the club.”

Te Maipi said they produced a good showing on Saturday.

“We’ve started building some momentum and have a pretty big forward pack who are starting to get some good momentum.”

Their standouts were Te Mana Anapu-Burke, Ruben Chisholm and Bailey Williams.

Te Maipi’s team were keeping things simple.

“A lot of teams are using the tip-pass out the back. We have some big boys, and we are just having them run hard and get us over the gainline.”

Fortunately it didn’t come down to goal kicking as Te Teko only nailed two of their six opportunities.

In the other premier matches, Rūātoki, led by standout first five Beaudein Waaka, picked up a 38-15 win over Tihirau Victory Club.

Rūātoki captain David Tawhai was another to play superbly, and the combination between Nelly Wera-Cook and Waaka was impressive.

Tomika Brown and Pumi Black were others to shine for Rūātoki.

Waaka nailed four of his six conversions and helped himself to a five-pointer.

The victory was Rūātoki’s second of the campaign and puts them in the top four, with that spot looking as if it will come down to a battle between these two clubs.

TVC’s toiled away the entire clash with Tukaki Tukaki and Tutere Waenga two of their best on display.

At Rugby Park, Whakatāne Marist ran out comfortable winners over Poroporo, 62-22.

Marist scored 10 tries in the victory with loose forward Ratu Gabirieli helping himself to four while prop Sitiventi Uitalia helped himself to a hat-trick.

Their other try scorers were Cody Neale, Tevita Cuvaovuna and Josaia Vuadreu.

Poroporo, to their credit, stayed in the fight the entire contest and managed to score four tries to earn a bonus point,

Horomaia Heurea, Leon Moore, Jordan Moke and Jordan Rakuraku bagged their tries.

In the EBOP Senior Reserve grade, Edgecumbe carried on their winning ways with a 57-5 win over Poroporo B.

It continued Edgecumbe’s fine start to the season as they look to celebrate their 100 years in style later this year.

Te Teko B also scored a good 19-13 victory over Paroa B in what was a good contest.

Both teams fought hard until the final whistle.

Waimana and Matatā both had the bye.

In the senior reserves this weekend, Te Teko B and Edgecumbe face off in what should be a cracking contest at Dunderdale Park, while Waimana welcomes Matatā with Poroporo B and Paroa B having a week off.

The premier grade sees Tāneatua host TVC in what should be a cracking clash at Rob Shaw Park.

Poroporo host Rūātoki at Poroporo Park and Te Teko welcomes Whakatāne Marist to Dunderdale Park.

“It should be a good, tough game for us. Marist narrowly lost to Paroa the week before us, so we really need to continue playing well.

“Hopefully we can get a big crowd of fans to help cheer both our teams on at home,” Te Maipi said.