There was plenty of excitement in the air at the Eastern Districts rugby grounds at Paengaroa on Wednesday when the finals of the Baywide Rippa Rugby Championships were held.
Conditions were perfect for all the hopeful future All Blacks who took part and judging by the smiles on all the faces, they had a great time enjoying the non-contact form of rugby invented in New Zealand that has revolutionised junior rugby.
Boys and girls can play happily together without fear of injury and at an early age are well attuned to the passing and running skills that make the game so much fun to play.
Local schools to represent Western bay of Plenty were Te Akau ki Papamoa, Greenpark, Selwyn Ridge and Omanu (Years 3-4) and Te Akau ki Papamoa, Selwyn Ridge, Greenpark and Pillans Point (Year 5-6).
