Rugby: Fluctuating fortunes for school sides

Jessie Church put in a typically strong performance at the back for Aquinas College against Trident High School. Photo / Andrew Warner

The two Western Bay of Plenty schools hoping to reach this weekend's Division One final in Rotorua had fluctuating fortunes on Saturday.

Aquinas College, which at the beginning of the season had only 22 senior rugby players, kept their unbeaten home record intact with a resounding 37-10 defeat of Trident High School.

Bethlehem College had been favoured to join them and led late in the semifinal at home on Saturday, before a last-minute penalty after a Whakatane High School player was held up gifted the visitors a spot in the final.

Katikati College and Te Wharekura O Mauao won their respective matches in Division Two, with Tauhara College and Western Heights High School advancing in Division Three.

Bay of Plenty secondary school results, August 16:

Division One: Aquinas College 37 Trident High School 10, Whakatane High School 20 Bethlehem College 18.

Division Two: Katikati College 21 Rotorua Boys' High School 3rd XV 11, Te Wharekura O Mauao 29 John Paul College 12.

Division Three: Tauhara College 15 Edgecumbe College 0, Western Heights High School 25 Reporoa College 12.