RAMPAGING: Rotorua Girls' High School No8 Matalena Rapana charges up field against Tauranga Girls' College in the premier girls' final at Rugby Park in Whakatane. PHOTO/DAVID BECK
RAMPAGING: Rotorua Girls' High School No8 Matalena Rapana charges up field against Tauranga Girls' College in the premier girls' final at Rugby Park in Whakatane. PHOTO/DAVID BECK
Western Heights High School have defied their underdog status to beat Te Wharekura o Mauao 24-14 in the Baywide Division 1 final.
It was an action-packed day of rugby at Rugby Park in Whakatane during which the boys' Division 1, 2, under-15 and second XV, and girls' premier finals were played.
TWKM were unbeaten in Division 1 this season - they beat Western Heights 29-17 in the last week of the round robin.
However, Western Heights pulled it together when it counted to be crowned Division 1 champions.
Western Heights High School beat Te Wharekura o Mauao 24-14 in the Baywide Division 1 final.
In the Premier girls' final Tauranga Girls' College beat Rotorua Girls' High School 20-12 to lift the trophy.
After leading 15-0 at halftime Tauranga made life hard for themselves in the second half, receiving two yellow cards and a red card - inviting Rotorua to make a comeback.
All three cards were for high tackles, although none were malicious in nature - the girls simply got their tackling technique slightly wrong.
Rotorua had their chances to narrow the margin towards the end of the second half but a spirited Tauranga defensive line held strong for the win.
They started the game well, dominating territory and possession, and were rewarded after five minutes when lock Holly Topp crashed over to score.
Tauranga looked a well-drilled side and added to their lead with a brilliant piece of backline play. First five Hope Garner carried the ball left before straightening up, drawing in defenders and creating an overlap for fullback Minardi Daniel to go over on the left-hand side.
Rotorua showed glimpses of attacking brilliance but couldn't quite turn it into points and with 10 minutes left in the half Tauranga made it 15-0. Again it was Garner running the show but this time she threw a dummy and glided threw a gap to score.
They made it 20-0 early in the second half through a second try to Daniel.
POWER: Tauranga Girls' College prop Angel Mulu attempts to break out of tackles. PHOTO/DAVID BECK
But, that's when the drama began. Tauranga prop Rose Togatogarua was the first to receive a yellow card and Rotorua winger Emma Tonihi-O'Toole scored from the resulting penalty.
Minutes later Tauranga fullback Minardi Daniel was red-carded. Rotorua worked their way up field and their other winger Allanah Tapara scored. Garner received her side's second yellow card for her effort in preventing the try.
Having reduced the lead to 20-12 it appeared to be game on for Rotorua but Tauranga fought off wave after wave of attack to claim the title.
CHAMPIONS: Tauranga Girls' College players celebrate their win over Rotorua Girls' High School in the Baywide secondary school final on Saturday. PHOTO/DAVID BECK
Tauranga coach Jeff Robb said his side controlled the game in the first half.
"In the second half our discipline let us down - we were down to 13 players and struggled. Rotorua came back and punished us, as they should, but generally overall I though it was a good game.
"Our forwards showed a lot of heart, they scrummed well and worked hard for one another. Playing with heart was probably the deciding factor, that's what we've talked about.
"It has been a successful season and we've got quite a young side. We've only got a few year 13s, who dominated today, they'll leave but the other girls are coming along well and enjoying their rugby," Robb said.
Results: Division 1: Western Heights 24 v Te Wharekura o Mauao 14
Division 2: Taupo Nui a Tia 26 v Te Puke High School 6
Second XV Division: Tauranga Boys' College 5th XV won over Western Heights 2nd XV
Under-15: Tauranga Boys' Under 15 A 31 v Trident High School 12
Baywide Secondary School Girls: Tauranga Girls' 20 v Rotorua Girls' 12
