The bragging rights for rugby supremacy in Rotorua belong to Whakarewarewa for the summer months after a 38-23 win over Ngongotaha at Puarenga Park on Saturday.

At stake was the Rotorua Banner, one of the oldest rugby trophies competed for in Bay of Plenty going back to 1938. It was the most sought after prize in Rotorua rugby before the start of Baywide rugby competitions in 1990.

In past years the banner has been played for in a pre-season championship but as that did not happen this season the top two teams in the Baywide competition at the end of round one had the chance to play for it.

Each winner has their name embroidered on the banner and when it is full the team with the most entries keep the banner to display with pride in their clubrooms. Whakarewarewa only need a few more entries to be able to hang the current banner at Puarenga Park.

Whakarewarewa's head coach Peter 'Boxer” Smith is delighted to have won the match that also included the Tai Mitchell Trophy from a fired-up Ngongotaha side coached by former All Black Hika Reid.

"It was a pretty good game actually. Our boys were probably a little bit rusty after a few weeks off. It was one of those games when it is hard because Ngongotaha had everything to gain and we've got everything to lose,” says Boxer.

'Full credit to Ngongotaha. They definitely came with all guns blazing and gave us a good run for our money.”

Boxer says it is highly satisfying to win both taonga (trophies) which have a significant amount of mana involved.

'I am not sure if this young generation know of the pride and history that go with the banner but definitely the old people of our club are who we are doing it for. Our supporters, our community know the significance of it.”

No Rotorua team has won the Baywide Premier title since Whakarewarewa's triumph in 2006. Boxer hopes things are changing for the better despite disappointment at Whakarewarewa finishing sixth in the Premier 1 division this year.

'Central Bay of Plenty rugby is probably a little bit behind our Western Bay counterparts but I think we are building pride back in Central Bay rugby. There will be three Rotorua teams competing in next year's Baywide.

'There is definitely some good talent out there and some young players we need to nurture and develop that will come out of Rotorua Boys' High and hopefully will get Rotorua back up there.”