School Sport

Tauranga Girls'

Napier Girls' exchange

Eight of our top sporting teams travelled to Napier on an annual exchange with Napier Girls' High School. The sporting teams involved were our football 1st XI, League 1, and 2, and Junior A netball, hockey 1st XI and 2nd XI, senior premier basketball and our cross country girls. On the Sunday, our football team played Taradale women's team and won 6-0, while the 1st XI hockey beat Woodford House 1st XI, and the 2nd XI beat Taradale High School 1st XI. All three netball teams also had comfortable wins over their Woodford House opponents. On the Sunday night, our girls were billeted by Napier Girls' and the competition began on the Monday morning. Tauranga Girls' retained the trophy with wins to League 1 netball, the senior basketball, both hockey teams and the 1st XI football. League 2 drew their game, while Napier Girls' took out the cross country and Junior A netball. It was an excellent weekend's sports competition and we now look forward to hosting Napier Girls' High next year.

Basketball

On Friday night our Senior Premier basketball girls played Te Aroha College in the Hamilton Secondary School league. It was a tough game as the Te Aroha girls won the Small School Nationals last year. However, our girls came out on top, winning 65-40.

Netball

The first round of Friday night netball started up last week with a number of teams entered from our school. Our League 1 played the Otumoetai League 1 and in a tight game won 36-33. Our League 2 girls also played and won 61-23 against Te Puke Senior B.

Hockey

1st XI and 2nd XI both played on Wednesday night in the Premier and Elite Secondary School grades. Our 1st XI played Mount College 1st XI and won 8-0. Unfortunately, after a tough game, our 2nd XI lost to Bethlehem College 1st XI 0-8. Our 3rd XI, who play in the Monday night College Grade, won their game this week 7-0 against Katikati 2nd XI.

Football

The Football 1st XI played Trident High School on Saturday and won 13-0. Despite having a couple of players away in Auckland, the rest of the team stepped up. Congratulations to Sophie Johnston, who scored five goals while the rest of the goals were spread around other players.

Bethlehem College

Rugby

Our 1st XV boys travelled to Opotiki and were successful in winning a close game 12-8. Victory was eventually achieved because of accurate kicking from Cameron Gerlach who successfully kicked the critical penalties for BC.

With a low scoring match, defence was the word of the day. Nick Adams receiving the Iron Man accolade for the most tackles and was a key part of the defensive effort. Matt Leppard won the MVP of the match.

Football

Playing at home, our 1st XI boys played Tauranga Boys' College's Argentina team. Matt Smith and Nat Glen started well with early shots as BC gained early dominance with good ball retention. The first goal was made by Luke Bryenton from accurate passing in the midfield.

The second half started out like the first half, but an early scare from the opposition, with a clean shot on goal, brought a fine save from goalkeeper Tom Rutherford. Inspired by this, BC started to find their form and with a series of through balls from Dylan Ramohitaj, Christian Mair slotted the second goal.

In the last twenty minutes, the BC defence led by Michael Bell, Ben Starr, Matt Connolly and Strauss Boom held firm and sealed the deal for BC's third consecutive win with the defence yet to concede a goal this season. This team is still top of their division. Man of the match was Wissarut Samutpanich.

Netball

Eventually the top teams were able to start their season last weekend. This is a rebuilding year for the Open A and they found the going tough against a good Trident side. The Open B had a closer game against Otumoetai 2, but still went down, whilst the Junior A and Junior B both had exciting and very narrow victories against their respective Otumoetai teams. On Saturday morning victories were gained by the BC 7A, 9 Red, BC Mystics and the BC Ferns.

Aquinas College

Cross Country

The Skelton girls may well have been aiming to hit the trifecta when they took to the track for the recent annual Aquinas cross country challenge. If it wasn't the intention, well ... it was close to the end result.

Lizzy Skelton, Year 7, finished a comfortable first in her event, elder sister Hannah crossed the finish line first in the Under-16 event, and eldest sister Charlotte was second only to Anneke Grogan in the senior girls' race. More than 600 students took part in the event.

The top placings were as follows: Year 7 girls: Lizzy Skelton, Hannah McCulloch, Holly Brittain, Chelsea Dylan, Isobel Norton and Laoise McCarthy; Year 7 boys: Jack McManaway, Samuel O'Connor, Jake Broadmore, Ryan Schneebeli, Harry Broadley Ryan and Sean Meehan; Year 8 girls: Alice Wiliams, Jessica Robinson, Emma McDonnell, Teri Dawson, Sophie Tamblin, Breanna O'Neill;

Year 8 boys: Louis Grindrod, Matthew Lochhead, Patrick Burtenshaw, Joseph Welten, James Johnson and Ryan Peddle; Under-14 girls: Dana Welten, Nikki Anderson, Isobel Straffon, Meg Johnston and Lucy Houghton; Under-14 boys: Jake Hoffart, Ryan Young, Lachlan Meehan, Sean Dykes, Reuben Fitzgerald; Under-16 girls: Hannah Skelton, Kimberly D, Mello, Nathalie Guernier, Michelle Dykes, Portia Thompson, Lily Crombie; Under-16 boys: Tim McDonnell, Victor Bibi, Blake Dawson, James Sharp, Jack Burgess; Senior girls: Anneke Grogan, Charlotte Skelton, Lauren Dennehy, Georgia Child and Tia Robinson; Senior boys: Seth Merrett, Ryan Foord, Gregory Cross, Reuben Stovold, Liam Regan.

Te Wharekura o Mauao

Poitarawhiti/Netball

Katahi ra te wikitoria tuatahi a te kapa Kotuku ki roto i to ratou kemu tuarua, ko nga piro ko te 31 ki te 27. I toa tuarua ai a te kapa Pounamu 21 ki te 15. Ka ngangaro e hine ma.

Congratulations on the first win for our Kotuku team, the points being 31 to 27. Our Pounamu team won their second consecutive game 31 to 27.

Whutupaoro/Rugby

Pera tonu nga tutunga puehu ki runga i te papa whutupaoro i nga ra kua taha i wero ai nga tima e rua nga under 14s under 15s hoki i nga kapa o Mount Maunganui College. Ara noa atu nga tatauranga! TWOM Under 14s 77 MMC Under 14s 7. TWOM Under 15s 41 MMC Under 15s 5. Nanakia!

The same results were reciprocated on the rugby field with both teams playing Mount Maunganui College. The Under-14s winning 77 to 7, the Under-15s winning 41 to 5.

Poitukohu/Basketball

I te Mane i wikitoria to matou kapa tane/kotiro Poitukohu tau 7/8. I wero atu i te kura tuatahi o Te Puna.

Monday night saw our year 7/8 mixed basketball team play Te Puna Primary, eventually winning this match.

Tauranga Intermediate

Indoor Bowls

The PB/BOP Intermediate Schools Indoor Bowls Tournament was held in our school gym on Friday, May 24.

Players from Te Puke, Otumoetai, Whakatane, Rotorua, Kaitao, Mount, Ilminster, and of course Tauranga Intermediate were competing.

We are very thankful to Mr Bill Smith and members of the RSA Indoor Bowls Club who have been coming into school on Wednesday coaching our students. They were also very instrumental in the smooth running of this tournament and volunteered their time to assist on each of the mats, giving pointers to the teams and scoring.

We had over 20 students involved on the day. Well done to our Year 7 teams who performed very well on the day with our White team winning the Year 7 competition and the Black team placing third. We look forward to these students developing their skills and being very competitive at the NZCT AIMS Games next term.

Cycling

Congratulations to Campbell Browne who competed in the Waikato Schools Cycling Tour on 25 May and had some good results in the Year 7 Boys Division. He was fifth in the Individual Time Trial, third in the Hill Climb and third in the Criterium. Great effort for third overall in a field of nine from as far away as Taupo and Auckland.

Tauranga Boys'

Rugby

Form Building and Development First XV v St Paul's Collegiate School, won 35-14. The first half proved another challenging one for the team as they struggled to gain composure and found themselves 11-3 down after 15 minutes.

However, TBC eventually gained decent field position and after some hard work by the forwards in and around the fringes of the ruck, the backs were able to expose their wide defence.

George Honey received the ball, saw space out wide and placed a well weighted cross kick for his brother Josh Honey to regain. He quickly off-loaded to Dan Hollinshead to score in the corner and cap off the try of the season to date. When Leighton Hika scored to complete a pick and go move by the forwards, Tauranga were up 15-14 at halftime.

From the start of the second half TBC were able to assert dominance. Resden Hirama was finding space regularly, making inroads into the St Paul's territory. The forwards continued to barrel into the opposition and replacement Aiden Ross took three with him as he scored early. Christian Kelly completed some fine work down the short side, changing angles and slicing through the St Paul's tackles to finish off two tries. Finally when Dylan Donne pounced on a loose ball from the scrum, TBC were comprehensive winners 35-14.

Second XV vs Mount First XV, won 29-10. TBC were up against a strong Mount First XV. After a solid win against Opotiki First XV, the boys were confident entering into this grudge match. With a solid start from the kick off, Ryan Carroll scored in the corner after a team effort.

Without a kicking tee, Cole Berridge struggled to convert leading 5-0 after 10 minutes. Sam Delaney was crucial at ruck play and Hunter displayed textbook tackling. TBC led at half time 10-3. Houston Jacob put boys in space all day, and a Jared Taylor try topped off the 29-10 win. Houston Jacob was named man of the match.

Football

1st XI vs Cambridge Men's Fed 2, won 2-0. Missed chances at Tauranga Boys' end of the pitch saw Cambridge's heads rise as they thought they had a chance to sneak some points. The football that TBC played was outstanding but when it came to the attacking third they did not capitalise on chances.

Halftime approached and neither team could break the deadlock. Both teams entered the changing rooms with no goals to their tally. Cambridge came out firing in the second-half and brought more physicality to the game. TBC dominated most of the possession and were presented with a few more chances.

Finally, Dylan Morris scored from a good corner kick by Jared Bailey. The game started to settle from then on and TBC had long passages where they kept the ball. Robbie Parekowhai-Gudex charged down the field with the ball and put in Dylan Bull with a chance on goal, but a good save from the keeper saw Dylan Morris get the rebound and put the ball into the back of the net. 2-0 was the final score.

Basketball Senior A. On Tuesday we played our first mens' league game squaring off against last years champions RSB. It was a tough game which was dominated by defence. However, we were able to stay together as a team and came through with the win 66-60. The following night we played Te Puke High School who, like Aquinas College the week before, provided little opposition. With a balanced team effort we won 120-34.

Papamoa School

Squash

Our team of six students have started preparing for the WBOP Primary School squash champs on June 18. Thanks to Ocean Blue Gym at Palm Beach Plaza for letting us use their squash courts for our Tuesday morning training sessions.

Ripper Rugby

On Friday May 17, we hosted Fairhaven School in a Ripper Rugby exchange. Congratulations to all players on an awesome performance, it was a great day enjoyed by all levels of the school. This week we were represented by two strong teams at the Ripper Rugby World Cup at Blake Park.

Dynamos

Our senior students have completed their training, and they will start running lunchtime games for students next week. The purpose of Sport Bay of Plenty's Dynamo Leadership programme is to upskill the selected children in organising and running lunchtime activities that provide opportunities for all children to become active.

Cross country

Today is the annual Papamoa School Cross Country, held at Gordon Spratt Reserve between 10.30am and midday. The postponement date for this event is tomorrow, Friday May 31.

Otumoetai College

Rugby Our 1st XV were the talk of the school after a great win over Western Heights 47-3 last weekend. Western Heights is a powerhouse rugby school so to take the win in such emphatic style was a credit to the team and their management. Our Under- 14 team played a very physical but competitive game against the Tauranga Boys' Bs.

Although we lost, our forward pack was very dominant with some good signs of improvement shown by the full team. Our Under-15's won 37-7 against Bethlehem. Our 2nd XV had a default win adding to their bye week so they are looking forward to getting out there next weekend.

Netball

After a very long buildup our senior netballers finally got their start to the season. Our Premier One team coached by Donna Taituma showed a lot of commitment in a great match against Tauranga Girls'. Captained by Samantha Henare, our players showed we are well on the way to achieving the team goals for this season. A loss to Tauranga Girls' League One by just three goals with our attackers having some room for percentage improvements has certainly given the girls some confidence. Our Premier 2 team coasted to a 49-9 victory over Bethlehem.

Football

Our girls' team beat Bethlehem 2-1, with our boys winning 3-1 against Aquinas. Player of the match was Vaughan Wilson.

Basketball

The season is under way and our top teams play in the Tauranga City competition on Wednesdays. They have all been training well and are now settled into their grades. We have a further six teams playing in the new Interschool competitions which is proving popular.

General

Our new Team Up Lunchtime sports programme for Year 9 & 10 starts in school next week. Everyday there will be a choice of new initiatives for our students to get physical during their break and learn new skills from experienced coaches and mentors.

Waka Ama

Congratulations to the recipients of excellence awards at the Tauranga Moana Outrigger Club awards: Sevyn-Leigh Jackson, Top Junior Paddler and Kaya Te Mahi, Most improved Junior Paddler. These girls have been great team members of our Waka Ama team.

Golf

Two teams of four travelled to Kawerau on May 21 for the annual John Manihera Memorial schools tournament. Team one of Andrew Jackson, Jordy Langton, Jimmy Adams and Kane Davis finished third after good rounds from Jordy, Kane and Andrew, while team two of Boston Stewart (with the best Otumoetai result on the day), Luke Moulds, Caleb Sutherland and Cameron Hunter finished mid-pack.

Gymnastics

The Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools Gymnastics Championships were held at the ARGOS Gymsport Club with some great results for Otumoetai College. Leah Madden took second place and the silver medal in the Level 5 Woman's Artistic division (equivalent of Steps 6/7 competitive gymnasts).

Stephanie Gillard came fifth in the Level 4 Woman's Artistic (equivalent of Steps 4/5 competitive gymnasts) and eighth in the trampoline C grade division. Sunny Lee placed second in the Open C division for novice rhythmic gymnasts. The girls competed well at this early stage of the season against some tough competition from around the Bay including Taupo, Whakatane, Rotorua and Tauranga. Well done to our small but committed team.

Beach Volleyball

Congratulations to Charles Leota, our PE staff member, who has received a Bay Trust scholarship towards continuing to grow his coaching knowledge.

Cross country

Top ten finishes at the BOP Cross country event for our young athletes Jaysha Tippins, Jarrod Mead, Siennah Cowles with the more experienced athlete Lucas Fairweather (placed 6th in senior boys). They are looking forward to extending themselves at the Waikato champs next week. Our team results placed Otumoetai second in the Junior Girls and Boys three man and six man sections.

Taekwondo

Good luck to Sean McDermott at the National Taekwondo Champs this weekend in Auckland. This is part of Sean's heavy training schedule leading into the World Tournament in October in Spain.