League: Expect unexpected in chase for trophy

Dargaville High School's Manaaki Ferris-Bretherton will be searching for more gaps like this one as his side looks for their first win today against Bay of Islands College. Photo/John Stone

Secondary school rugby league players have plenty to play for ahead of today's third round of the NorthTec Adam Blair Trophy, with players keeping half an eye on Sunday's Adam Blair XIII trial.

As teams enter the second half of the round robin, there are only two teams to have recorded two wins from two.

Newcomers Whangaroa College and Whangarei Boys' High School sit top of the table, equal on points but separated by points differential, in the five round competition.

Whangaroa are one team in particular which have surprised all to remain unbeaten, defeating first round winners Okaihau College 24-16 last week.

With only a school roll of 150, which includes years 7-13, the Kaeo college has really been a dark horse. This week, Whangaroa host Northland College (who have yet to record a win) so they should go in as favourites.

Meanwhile Boys' High again demonstrated why they are favourites to make the final by defeating Northland College 54-0 last week, after hammering Dargaville High School 66-6 in week one.

However, Dargaville showed a much improved effort as Kamo High School scraped past them to record a 16-14 win, to also remain undefeated with a win and a draw.

The other dark horse for the Adam Blair Trophy are also newcomers, Tikipunga High School. Last week, Tikipunga claimed their first win in their second match in the competition with a resounding 44-18 win over Bay of Islands College.

Te Rangi Aniwaniwa won local bragging rights in Kaitaia with a solid 24-14 win over defending champions Kaitaia College.

This week, Boys' High take on Kamo in a local derby - with Boys' High looking for revenge from their 2013 defeat. In the Far North, Kaitaia College need a win over Okaihau while Te Rangi Aniwaniwa host the inform Tikipunga. Whangaroa College will host Northland College while Bay of Islands College host Dargaville, - with both teams looking for their first win on the paddock.

This Sunday's Adam Blair XIII trial will see the best secondary schools leagues trialling for a position to play against the Warriors development side at Hikurangi on March 29. The trial will take place at Bay of Islands College from 11am.

Adam Blair Trophy

Round 2: Dargaville High v Kamo High, 14-16; Tikipunga High v Bay of Islands College, 44-18; Whangarei Boys' High v Northland College, 54-0; Okaihau College v Whangaroa College, 16-24; Te Rangi Aniwaniwa v Kaitaia College, 24-14.