Sevens season to start with bang

SEVENS HEAVEN: Action from last year's BOP Secondary Schools Sevens between John Paul College and Tauranga Boys' College.PHOTO/FILE

This Saturday is the start of the summer of sevens rugby with two major events in the Tauranga area.

At Greerton Park the annual Greerton Marist Sevens tournament begins at midday while across town at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui the cream of the Bay's young talent will be on show in the BOP Secondary Schools Sevens Tournament.

Greerton Marist will host 14 teams in four sections from noon. Semifinals are set for 3.20pm and finals at 4.20pm.

Tomorrow's line-up has teams from Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hastings in action.

Greerton Marist club president Terry Meredith says the club are looking forward to hosting this year's tournament and the afternoon should provide plenty of action and entertainment.

All club facilities will be open with a great view of the action from the upstairs lounge with BBQ and food facilities run by the club's junior teams.

"I expect strong showing to come from the likes of Auckland University, Hamilton Marist, Hastings and local teams Rangataua and Tauranga Sports," Meredith said.

"Perhaps the team to watch will be Rotoiti who have entered two teams this time."

This year also sees a first-time entry from Judea, with other local teams Greerton Marist, Te Puke Sports and Te Puna all keen to have a hit-out prior to the Bay of Plenty Club Sevens to be held at Blake Park on November 16.

Over at Blake Park, a swarm of young sevens players will be in action as 42 teams compete in six separate divisions.

In the under-19 boys' section, heavyweights Rotorua Boys' and Tauranga Boys' are likely to dominate but it will be interesting to see how strong the visiting Gisborne Boys' High School side is.

There are 13 teams covering the three girls sections of under-19, under-19 development and under-15 age groups, which is further evidence of the growth of the game in Bay of Plenty schools. Most of the Bay of Plenty team that won the bowl at the Central Coast Sevens last week will be in action.

The under-14 and under-16 boys' divisions are always competitive and expect Te Whare Kura O Mauao to push Tauranga Boys', Taupo Nui-a Tia College and Bethlehem College hard for the title.

Play begins at 8am with finals starting at 5pm and the day culminates with the under-19 boys final at 6.20pm.