Sevens: Boys make top five in Auckland sevens comp

Dylan Brown, seen here playing rugby league for the Otaika Eagles, was been named in the Condor 7s U15s tournament team. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Whangarei Boys' High School's Under-15 sevens side will return home with their heads held high after winning the plate final to finish fifth at the NZ Secondary School Sevens Finals - also known as the BNZ Condor 7s - in Auckland.

But for Dylan Brown, the return trip will be so much sweeter after being named in the Under-15 tournament team at the conclusion of play.

Whangarei BHS head coach Harry Darkins says Brown's inclusion in the tournament side is a reflection of the talent the Whangarei BHS Under-15 and Open sides possess.

"[The] boys were outstanding, great commitment, hard workers and played their hearts out," Darkins said.

"All the boys fronted-up and played with passion, enthusiasm and true heart."

Darkins also added that Cullen Lowe and Matthew Harrison played solid tournaments for the Under-15s, as did Tanekaha Ngaropo-Roma whose calm presence lifted the team. In the Open division, Whangarei BHS toppled big-name rugby schools, such as Gisborne BHS and St Patricks College Silverstream, while suffering a narrow 5-0 loss to Nelson College in their plate semifinal.

"[It was] a great tournament, the boys played so well ... and so close to making the cup quarterfinals, which is the top-eight," Darkins said of the Open team's progression through the tournament.

"Standouts were Mitchell Dean, Euan Sapwell, Judah Andrews and the Goodwin twins Ricky and Alex ... and the defence of Tyson Williams was outstanding in crucial parts.

"The whole team played their part and I'm thrilled with the attitude and brand of sevens they played."

Meanwhile, Hamilton is the undisputed home of secondary school rugby sevens after victories to both Hamilton BHS and Hamilton GHS on the Open grades of the Condor 7s.

The Hamilton BHS blanked Hastings BHS 24-0 while Hamilton GHS routed Southland GHS 35-0 in the 29th edition of the national secondary schools championships.

Hamilton BHS had last won the tournament in 2008 when All Black Tawera Kerr-Barlow and brothers Declan and Kylem O'Donnell helped the school defeat Mt Albert Grammar School in extra time.

Forty teams from across New Zealand were represented in the Open grade of the tournament and 34 Under-15 teams also took part in the three-day event which wrapped-up on Sunday.