The frosty start to the morning didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 650-plus students taking part in the annual seven-a-side tournament held at Bush Multisports Park in Pahīatua.
![Dannevirke South dodges as Eketāhuna moves in for the tackle.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/ARFWLDXX6BEEVP6IIQ6HKI5DYA.jpg?auth=85df797eb1414b24cac10e63b573583f78ec495bac9e765422fe5b52a44f5dca&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
In its 13th year, the tournament involves schools around the Tararua district, with teams from individual schools such as Weber, Ruahine, Pahīatua, St Anthony’s, St Joseph’s, Dannevirke South, Woodville and Eketāhuna, as well as a combined team made up of students from smaller schools.
![St Joseph's and Rural Combined battle it out on the rugby field.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/JRQNKEF23VBWBAWVQ65KA7AXNA.jpg?auth=a266bb0990c6a184150f1b8f2152d0ee9291ec59a17f8e763ff39542cdaa3c15&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
![St Anthony's School Pahīatua and Rural Schools were an active combination during their hockey game at the tournament.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/INRYJNJ44ZGWTHPT7PE5G2WMLA.jpg?auth=50a4984d9514dc36109a15cade5a6f8ea9f0563e38d1a1678d36a22d14e8f9c7&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)