Tai Mitchell tournament off to a fine start

Tauranga North winger AJ Thomas evades a tackle from Tauranga East on day one of the Tai Mitchell tournament at Blake Park. PHOTO: GEORGE NOVAK

If any British and Irish Lions fans had been at Blake Park they would have realised why New Zealand rugby is so strong.

All five games on day one of the Tai Mitchell tournament were highlighted by remarkable handling, audacious off-loading and ferocious defence, despite the squally showers and biting cold.

And these kids are just 11 and 12 years old.

The primary school tournament sponsored by Wasps Rugby Club is in its 76th year of providing a platform for the best young rugby players in the Bay of Plenty.

This year two rounds of pre-selection were held to create a more competitive top six with the bottom four competing for the Bill Murray Memorial Trophy. Western Bay teams make up four of the top six places.

Tournament top seeds Te Puke got off to an impressive start with a 62-7 win over Whakatane.

Head coach Phil O'Reilly says getting the first win was their goal and ensuring their systems worked.

"We wanted to be in the right end of the field and not running off and playing as individuals. We are really big on the team ethos and sticking to the game plan.

"With the wet weather and it being a bit muddy, we probably had way too many unforced errors so one of the work-ons will be trying not to push that pass.

"All the teams are going to be a challenge and we need to play well."

Tauranga West had to come from 7-0 down and needed a late penalty goal to subdue an impressive Opotiki outfit 10-7.

Coach Atirau Ohia says they were expecting a tough game after the qualifiers and that is exactly what they got.

"They got off to an awesome start but credit to our boys we fought back and managed to kick that penalty to win. Opotiki are a well-drilled side and we were really impressed with them," he said.

The local derby between Tauranga North and Tauranga East was far more competitive than expected after East gave North a 60-point lesson last month.

North had much of the first half and led 5-0 before dropping off a few tackles to let East in for a 14-5 lead at halftime. The fact no points were scored in the second 30 minutes indicates just how determined the two defensive lines were.

North coach Richard Brown says the game was played in tremendous spirit.

"One of the key objectives here is to provide a well-balanced environment where kids can play the game, learn the game and enjoy the game but yes the result is important," he said.

"I want to acknowledge East who to be fair deserved their win because defensively they really held it together. We had 75 per cent of possession but didn't capitalise on it."

In the other games, Rotorua Maroon beat Rangitaiki 47-7 and Rotorua Gold won 50-5 over Galatea.

There are two rounds of pool play at Blake Park today starting at 9.30am, with semifinals to be held at Grenada Park, Arataki tomorrow and finals on Sunday back at Blake Park.

Draws: www.boprugby.co.nz