Rugby: Rotorua Boys' on top form in Gisborne

The Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV team (pictured celebrating) have notched up another win this season. Photo / Ben Fraser

The Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV team have won back-to-back games to start the prestigious Super 8 competition this year.

Rotorua Boys' travelled to Gisborne Boys' High School on Saturday, winning their round-two match 31-21.

The victory pushes the Rotorua school to the top of the table in the Super 8 competition which features the best 1st XV teams in the central North Island.

The visitors were first to score points during the match on Saturday with a successful penalty to Kaleb Trask.

Gisborne replied soon after with a converted try out wide. The first half was a battle of will and determination between each team and finished 7-3 in favour of the hosts.

The second half began with Rotorua putting huge pressure on Gisborne's defensive scrum inside their 5m. Rotorua halfback Te Ra Whata scored after the ball was spilled from the back of the Gisborne scrum.

Gisborne re-took the lead, though, when New Zealand Secondary Schools lock Isaia Walker-Leawere muscled over.

The try sparked Rotorua into action and from there they scored the next two tries.

Midfielder James Tofa showed great speed to score in the corner, after some beautiful build-up play which was started by Isaac Te Aute.

Trask converted from the sideline to put Rotorua 17-14 in front with 15 minutes remaining.

A big tackle from Rotorua Boys' player Jade Honeycombe - while playing his 50th game for the school - led to an opening for Tofa to score his second try. He collected the ball, bumped his opponent and headed off to score a brilliant 90m try.

Gisborne closed the gap to 24-21 with four minutes remaining.

However, an intercept try to Rotorua winger Ngarohi McGarvey-Black closed the game out 31-21, giving the visitors a bonus-point victory.

Rotorua Boys' High School play reigning national champions Hamilton Boys' High School in Hamilton on Saturday at 12pm in round three.