Rugby: Too tough at the top for Mauao

It was one hurdle too many for rugby debutants Te Wharekura O Mauao at this year's Bay of Plenty secondary schools' finals day.

Playing in the under-14 premiership final, the kurakaupapa came up against a dogged Rotorua Boys' High School, who dismantled Mauao 57-7.

Despite some hard running by No8 Te Rupe Douglas and props Tanati Bidois and Te Hira Roberts, Mauao couldn't match the skill and pace shown by Boys' High.

Rotorua piled on an impressive nine-tries-to-one, led by first-five Urutohatoha Hohepa.

His ability to slice through a gap, set his backline alight and spiral punt a ball shows he has inherited some of his great grandfather George Nepia's rugby skills. The youngster kicked six from nine, with the side running in four tries to zip in the first half. They led 24-0 at the break.

Mauao's only points came in the second half when Rotorua prop Mita Takuira was given 10 minutes in the bin by referee Hamish Warner for an illegality.

But Rotorua piled on five tries in the second half and never looked under threat against Mauao, who were in their first season in the competition.

Another standout for the red and blues was halfback Te Ra Whata.

In the 2nd XV premiership final, Western Heights High School blew a 12-5 halftime lead against Tauranga Boys' College to go down 20-17.

The under-15 premiership final was a tough battle between Mount Maunganui College and Trident High School. With both sides locked up at 10-10 at halftime and going try-for-try after the break, the match wasn't decided until the last couple of minutes, when Trident converted a penalty and scored a try on fulltime to win 23-15.

A Rotorua derby between Rotorua Boys' High and Rotorua Lakes High in the division three final was a one-sided affair, with Boys' High maintaining their unbeaten season record in a 35-5 victory.

In the division two final Aquinas College were no match for Reporoa College, who won 38-0.