Battle for top spots continues in Baywide secondary school rugby

With two rounds of the Toi Ohomai Secondary Schools competition played, the race to win the Dick Littlejohn Trophy is well under way.

In the first XV division, going into round three, three teams were locked in at the top of the table, with last year's defeated finalists, Te Wharekura o Mauao, leading thanks to bonus points and the Rotorua Boys' High School second XV were tied with defending champions Western Heights High School.

Western Heights' young and inexperienced team has beaten Tauranga Boys' College second XV and the Rotorua Boys' Barbarians so far. In a midweek fixture on Wednesday, the team hosted Te Wharekura o Mauao and won 24-10 to claim the Te Kani Shield and a spot at the top of the table.

This weekend the Rotorua Boys' High School and Tauranga Boys' College first and second XVs go head-to-head in a traditional exchange.

Trident High School will host the Rotorua Boys' Barbarians and after a close loss to their second XV it should be an exciting match in Whakatane.

In the Girls' Baywide Premier First XV division, three teams are looking like contenders this year with Te Wharekura o Mauao an improved package on last season. After a solid win over Te Puke High School the girls from Mauao went down to Rotorua Girls' High School in a heavy loss not helped by a large number of players being unavailable.

Tauranga Girls' College had a close win over archrivals Rotorua Girls' High School last week and a comfortable win over Taupo Nui a Tia in Taupo. Meanwhile, the Te Puke High School girls have a long road trip ahead to take on Opotiki College and that promises to be an exciting, free-flowing match for both teams.

In the Baywide Second Division, Te Puke High School continue a steady rise and with consistent form they look ready and able to make the move to the first division. Their sportsmanship and team culture is a credit to the entire school and sports staff at Te Puke High School.

Toi Ohomai Baywide Secondary Schools Competition Draw

Baywide First XV Division 1
Kickoff: 12pm
Rotorua Boys' High School II v Tauranga Boys' College II
Trident High School v Rotorua Boys' High School Barbarians
Te Wharekura o Mauao 10 v Western Heights High School 24*
*Game played on Wednesday

Baywide First XV Division 2
Kickoff: 12pm

Pool A
Whakatane High School v Otumoetai College
Tauhara College v Te Puke High School

Pool B
Tauranga Boys' College III v Papamoa College
Aquinas College v Bethlehem College

Baywide First XV Division 3
Kickoff: 12pm

Pool A
Tarawera College v Opotiki College
Reporoa College/John Paul College II – Bye

Pool B
Rotorua Boys' High School 15A v Taupo Nui a Tia II
Mount Maunganui College v Katikati College

Baywide Second XV
Kickoff: 12pm
Tauranga Boys' College V v Te Puke High School II
Tauranga Boys' College IV v Trident High School II

Baywide Under-15
Kickoff: 9.15am
Tauranga Boys' College Blue v Mount Maunganui College
Kickoff: 10.30am
Rotorua Boys' High School B v Te Wharekura O Mauao
Tauranga Boys' College Blue v Western Heights High School
Tauranga Boys' College White v Taupo Nui a Tia
Trident High School v Otumoetai College
Tauhara College v Mount Maunganui College
Papamoa College v John Paul College
Whakatane High School v Tauranga Boys' College Stripes

Baywide Under-14
Kickoff: 9.15am
Trident High School v Mount Maunganui College
Kickoff: 10.30am
Western Heights High School v Tauranga Boys' College White
Rotorua Boys' High School Navy v Tauranga Boys' College Blue
Bethlehem College/Otumoetai College v Tauranga Boys' College Gold
Te Puke High School v Aquinas College
Taupo Combined v Rotorua Boys' High School Red
EBOP13 Paroa v Opotiki College
EBOP13 Whakatane Marist v Tauranga Boys' College Stripes