Rugby: Otumoetai romp to Baywide title

Otumoetai College celebrate after their win over Taupo Nui-a-Tia. Photo / George Novak

Otumoetai College clinched the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Baywide Secondary Schools division one title with a thoroughly deserved 40-17 win over Taupo Nui-a-Tia College on Sir Gordon Tietjens Field at Blake Park on Saturday.

But their season is not over yet as they have to regroup quickly before hosting Manurewa High School on Tuesday at 1.30pm in a crucial clash to find the team to represent the Chiefs in next month's Top Four co-ed schools play-offs.

Saturday's straightforward victory typified the style of rugby and all-round team effort that has marked an unbeaten season for Otumoetai. The set piece was outstanding and aggressive ball runners Troy Webber, Tukuora Ngawhika and Matt Ensor were a major handful all game.

Halfback Ryan Brown and first-five Keegan Long have been key factors in the team's success all season. On Saturday, Brown's decisive running and backing up earned him two tries while Long kicked well for territory and goal.

Otumoetai dominated all the early territory but showed a few finals nerves as they had nothing to show after 15 minutes of domination. Taupo then shocked them by scoring a scorching try down the right wing through Jaedyn Katene with their first attack.

But after a settling penalty to Long, Otumoetai got into their work and scored two well-taken tries to take a 15-5 lead into the halftime break. The first was scored by flanker Webber after a slashing break by Brown, who then dived over late in the half after a clever pop pass from No8 Ngawhika.

Any hopes of a Taupo comeback were averted by the try of the match from Otumoetai's centre Cameron Ragg after another break from Ngawhika and excellent inside running by winger Isaiah Duncanson.

Long converted from the touchline and then slotted another penalty to put the game safe at 25-5. Taupo finally put some phases together and showed they can play some good rugby instead of focusing on unnecessary off-the-ball incidents that got worse as the score mounted against them.

Dayne Nathan scored to close the gap to 15 but it was a slight reprieve as first Brown went over for his second after a mistake from his opposite on his goal-line, then midfielder David Irwin dived over following a sharp break through the line by Long.

Taupo's flanker Michael Hayes had the final say with a late try but they were well beaten on the day.

Otumoetai's captain Sam Redmayne was obviously delighted with the win and the big lock made the best speech of the day to close an excellent day of schoolboy rugby.

"We put out there everything we had and left it all out on the field," Redmayne said.

"It is just like we have been doing all season but this one is extra special."

Redmayne knows what is in store for his team from Manurewa on Tuesday.

"We are expecting some big tough forwards and we will be prepared for them."

Vice-captain Long agreed that they increased their performance in the final.

"Yeah I'm stoked by that and it was really cool to see how we stepped it up."

Otumoetai College 40 (Ryan Brown 2, Troy Webber, Cameron Ragg, David Irwin tries; Keegan Long 3 cons, 3 pens) Taupo Nui-a-Tia College 17 (Jaedyn Katene, Dayne Nathan, Michael Hayes tries; Ayden Ingles con) Halftime 15-5.