Rugby: Aquinas hang on to shield after draw

Aquinas College fullback Jessie Church in action. Photo / File

Last Saturday saw an intense, close round of matches in the Bay of Plenty Secondary School Rugby Division 1 competition.

Aquinas College travelled to Opotiki College to defend the Te Kani Shield, which they had won the week before off Whakatane High School.

It is always a tough battle to win there after a long road trip and so it proved to be, but Aquinas managed to hang on for a 20-20 draw and retain the coveted shield.

The Te Kani Shield was gifted by Paora Te Kani's family after he died in battle in Tunisia in 1943 and has been played for between Bay of Plenty secondary schools ever since.

In other games, Mount Maunganui College lost 38-19 away to Western Heights High School, Otumoetai were beaten 20-12 at Whakatane High, while Bethlehem College won 22-16 at home over Trident College.

Tomorrow, the local derby clash between Mount Maunganui College and Bethlehem College at the Mount should be well worth watching.

Otumoetai College will want to get into the winners' circle on their home ground against Opotiki College, while Aquinas College will take the Te Kani Shield on the road again, this time to Trident High School.

In the Super Eight competition, Tauranga Boys' College First XV lost 23-24 to Napier Boys' High School in Napier last Saturday and are in second place after a win, loss and draw from their opening three games. But unbeaten Hamilton Boys' look well placed to add another title to their impressive list.

Tauranga Boys' Second XV are also second behind Hamilton Boys' after a 0-39 thumping in Napier last Saturday.

Tomorrow both Tauranga Boys' teams are in action at Palmerston North Boys' High School.

BOP Secondary Schools, Division 1 draw: (Home team first, all games kick off 12pm) Mount Maunganui College v Bethlehem College; Trident High School v Aquinas College; Otumoetai College v Opotiki College; Whakatane High School v Western Height High School.

BOP Secondary Schools, Division 2 draw: Rotorua Boys' High School Third XV v Tauranga Boys' College Third XV; Te Wharekura o Mauou v Rotorua Lakes High School; Taupo Nui-a-Tia College v Katikati College; John Paul College v Te Puke High School.