Rugby: Mount to play Aquinas in big final

Bethlehem College fullback Thomas Allen sliding over for a try against Katikati College. Photo/Andrew Warner

Mount Maunganui College will play Aquinas College in the final of the Western Bay of Plenty First XV tournament at Otumoetai College tomorrow.

The two sides were unbeaten in two 40-minute matches apiece on Saturday, so will face off in a 70-minute showdown at 1pm.

A well-drilled Aquinas side saw off Te Puke College 17-5 in the opening match, before beating Otumoetai College - who struggled to defuse a series of midfield bombs - 15-0 to book their place in the final.

Mount Maunganui College sneaked past Bethlehem College 12-5 thanks to a scintillating late-try from Xavier Kaweroa, then went on to beat Katikati College 32-5 to top their pool.

Otumoetai College First XV coach Jamie Davis said the tournament is used by Western Bay schools to evaluate talent ahead of the upcoming secondary school competition.

"We had one week before the weekend when we had everyone available, so it was the first time we've got a team together and put it on the park," Davis said. "It was good for us, it gave us a few insights."

Davis, the tournament organiser, was looking forward to gleaning more information from tomorrow's matches.

"It will be an interesting game between Aquinas and the Mount. I thought Aquinas was the best prepared - they probably had the benefit of being able to select the team already and had two or three games under their belt."

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union staff will use the matches to further identify players with the potential to make age group sides.

Western BOP First XV Tournament

Draw for tomorrow

10am: Te Puke High School v Katikati College.

11.30am: Otumoetai College v Bethlehem College.

1pm: Aquinas College v Mount Maunganui College.

First XV pre-season results:

Aquinas College 17 Te Puke High School 5; Mount Maunganui College 12 Bethlehem College 5; Aquinas College 15 Otumoetai College 0; Bethlehem College 12 Katikati College 7; Otumoetai College 29 Te Puke High School 5; Mount Maunganui College 32 Katikati College 5.