Secondary school rugby competition heats up

The future stars of Bay of Plenty rugby started their Toi Ohomai Secondary Schools campaigns last weekend.

Defending first XV champions Western Heights High School took on a fired up Tauranga Boys' College second XV at Nicholson Field and came out on top 28-27.

This week does not get any easier for the reigning champions as they take on Rotorua Boys' High School third XV Barbarians.

Meanwhile, Tauranga Boys' College second XV will host Te Wharekura o Mauao first XV where the much vaunted Te Kani Shield will be up for grabs. This encounter is expected to be a thriller - open running first XV rugby at its best.

Trident High School travel to Rotorua to battle Rotorua Boys' High School second XV. This will be a real David and Goliath struggle, but the Eastern Bay of Plenty side will relish the challenge.

In Division 2, Papamoa College first XV had a surprise win over Aquinas College, last weekend, with a couple of late tries giving Papamoa a comfortable winning margin at games end.

Otumoetai College have rebounded from a tough loss against a Bay of Plenty Under-16 trial team to beat Tauhara College from Taupo. The Archie Grant coached team stayed on their game plan and were too clinical for the King Country boys.

Te Puke High School showed they were a title contender with a big win over Whakatane High School. Whakatane will be put to the test with their road trip to take on Tauhara College while Te Puke High School and Otumoetai College will square up for what will be the fight for top spot in their pool.

Papamoa College will host Bethlehem College who are still smarting from their loss to Tauranga Boys' College third XV. The Bethlehem team will need to show real character this weekend to compete with a well-drilled Papamoa side. Aquinas, on the other hand, will be looking to get their season back on track with their game against Tauranga Boys' third XV.

Toi Ohomai Baywide Secondary Schools Competition draw

Baywide 1st XV Division 1
Kickoff: 12pm
Western Heights High School v Rotorua Boys' High School Barbarians
Tauranga Boys' College II v Te Wharekura O Mauao
Rotorua Boys' High School II v Trident Heights High School

Baywide 1st XV Division 2
Kickoff: 12pm

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

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

Baywide 1st XV Division 3
Kickoff: 12pm

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

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

Baywide 2nd XV
Kickoff: 12pm
Tauranga Boys' College V v Tauranga Boys IV
Trident High School II v Te Puke High School II

Baywide Under-15
Kickoff: 9.15am
Tauranga Boys' College Blue v Mount Maunganui College

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

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