Rugby: Junior teams ready to do battle for Ellis Shield

Photo / Thickstock

The teams and draw have been announced for the Ellis Shield Rugby Tournament to be held in Paengaroa on Saturday.

The annual junior rugby tournament, run by the three junior rugby committees in conjunction with the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, sees Eastern, Western and Central Bay of Plenty under-11, under-12 and under-13 representative teams do battle.

This year's edition is being hosted by Western Bay at the Eastern Districts Club.

It will see the newly named Liam Messam Trophy (under-13), Tanerau Latimer Trophy (under-12) and the Rob Shaw Trophy (under-11) presented for the first time under the new names.

The region that wins the most games across the three grades wins the Ellis Shield, with the Western Bay going in as defending champions.

Western Bay Junior Rugby committee chairman Jamie Mascall is one of a number looking forward to the tournament, which includes a number of exciting young players that were too heavy to take part in Tai Mitchell.

"The annual open weight tournament provides opportunities for players to test themselves at a representative level," Mascall said.

"It's a great way to finish off their rugby seasons and there will no doubt be some exciting rugby on show."