Rugby: Hard work pays off in victories

Paerangi Kopa and Kaleli Tanginoa, of Northland College, stand proudly with their new trophy. Photo / Supplied

Things are looking up for Northland College's 1st XV.

The secondary school side not only strode to a 74-5 victory over Bay of Islands College to win the Mid North 1st XV Rugby Competition trophy recently - contested between the two colleges - they have also taken out the Mid Week 1st XV B Division final against Kamo High School, 46-12.

The school's win over Kamo elevated the side to a promotion-relegation game next month to contest a spot in the Midweek 1st XV A division which, at this stage, will most likely be played against Dargaville High School.

Additionally, the 1st XV's win over Bay of Islands College means they finally have their hands on a trophy which has been held by Bay of Islands College since 2007.

Top scorers in that match included two sets of brothers, Graham, John and Phoenix Henare-Clarke and Tamati and Rahiri Leach, alongside cousins Hakopa and Puna Matene.

With the trophy finally returning to their clutches, Northland College team manager John Sanson and coach Sean Henwood were understandably proud of their team's progress over the past year.

"It's been two years in the making but now the team is developing into a cohesive unit and we have got some standout players, who are starting to make their mark on the game," Sanson said.

"After those performances, I would expect to see our boys getting the opportunity to represent at a higher level."

Henwood said: "This proves that we are making significant steps towards regaining Northland College 1st XV's past glory.

"It's been a long time since the big wins of the past, including the Moascar Cup that the college won back in the 1960s.

"Now I feel we are ready to start touring and showing off our capabilities to the world," he said.