Touch: Youngsters turn effort into success

Te Taitokerau's junior touch players reaped the benefits of hard work after picking up several titles at the TouchNZ Northern Interprovincials.

Five junior Te Taitokerau touch teams have enjoyed success at the TouchNZ Northern Interprovincial tournament.

Not only did they represent Te Taitokerau at the highest possible level, but they also left with some huge accolades; including two golds - in both the Under-9 and Under-13 mixed elite grades - a second placing for the Under-9 mixed development team, and a fourth placing for the Under-11 mixed elite team.

Unfortunately the Under-13 boys elite came up against some really classy outfits and weren't as lucky.

The Under-9 mixed elite team made the final on the back of a cluster of round-robin games.

Meeting Bay of Plenty in the final, Te Taitokerau played with more poise and skill than their opponents to win with a dominant display of skill.

In the Under-13 mixed elite final, Te Taitokerau were up against the reigning champs for the past three years, Counties-Manukau.

Te Taitokerau started the game the stronger and scored early in the game.

They were dominant in attack and defence and were unlucky not to be further ahead at halftime with a 3-1 lead.

Counties came back hard and levelled the score, but Te Taitokerau regained the lead and were ahead by one to take the match, 6-5.