Schoolboys rise to occasion

Masterton Intermediate did themselves proud at the annual Waterman Innovations intermediate schools rugby tournament played at Trentham Memorial Park, finishing runners-up to Titahi Bay.

It was the best result ever for the school at this tourney which drew 16 teams of under-65kg players from the Wellington and Hutt Valley regions. They were third equal in both 2009 and 2010.

Pool play saw Masterton Intermediate beat Tawa 31-0, Maidstone 7-5 and Brandon 24-5.

The victory over Maidstone was particularly well received as it was Maidstone who had eliminated them in the semifinals the previous year.

Opposing Masterton Intermediate in the semis this time was a highly-fancied Hutt International side and in a tightly-contested affair Masterton rose to the occasion, winning 10-0.

That meant they were up against the powerful Titahi Bay in the final and here it was Titahi Bay who called the tune by 31-7.

Named as one of the three most outstanding players involved in the tourney was Masterton Intermediate fullback Cyrus Reriti-Mikaera, a fine achievement considering there were some 330 participants.

Adding to the gloss for Masterton Intermediate was their winning of a signed 2011 Vodafone Wellington Lions jersey for taking out the "Best Chant and Banner" competition.

And they also had the good fortune to draw the All Blacks when each of the competing teams was allocated a World Cup side to support.