Boys’ High u14s win BoP tournament

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: Gisborne Boys’ High School won the under-14 division of the Bay of Plenty Secondary School Sevens rugby tournament yesterday. They are, back (from left): Lou Horua (manager), Whetu King-Taufa, Wiremu Kaa (coach), Mikaere Marino-Moore, Anaru Paenga-Morgan, Jackson MacDonald, Nik Patumaka, Caleb Billington, Clay Barry, Irie Eyles, Dwayne Russell (Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union) and Kyran Russell. Front: Matariki Kaa, Saylahr Paaka, Reweti Ropiha, Silas Brown and John Horua. Picture supplied

It’s a sensational way to finish the season.

The Gisborne Boys’ High School under-14s signed off on 2017 by winning their age group in the Bay of Plenty Secondary School Sevens rugby tournament yesterday.

They beat Te Wharekura o Mauao 17-10 in the final to win the tournament at their first attempt.

In pool play, Gisborne Boys’ High beat Western Heights High School 36-0 and Rotorua Boys’ High School 14-7, but lost to Tauranga Boys’ College 19-17.

Gisborne met Tauranga again in the cup semifinal, this time beating the Bay of Plenty side 25-19.

With a squad reduced by injury from 14 to nine, Gisborne showed skill and courage to beat Te Wharekura o Mauao in the final.

Boys’ High head coach Wiremu Kaa was proud of his team.

“Our front-row of Whetu King-Taufa, Matariki Kaa and Jackson MacDonald tackled anything and everything,” he said.

“Kyran Russell was a good distributor at halfback until he got injured, and his replacement — Irie Eyles — also played well until he, too, was injured.

“Mikaere Marino-Moore was solid when he came on and Clay Barry provided real spark off the bench when needed.

“First five-eighth John Horua, our player of the day, and captain and centre Anaru Paenga-Morgan created havoc in midfield with their footwork and decision-making. Caleb Billington was electric on the wing until he succumbed to injury.

“Reweti Ropiha, Nik Patumaka and Saylahr Paaka also showed real intent when given an opportunity. We implemented a good solid game plan and stuck to it throughout the day.”

Boys’ High first 15 coach Tom Cairns said the u14s were “a good crew”.

“They work well together and Wiremu’s done a fantastic coaching job with them,” Cairns said.

“They’ve set themselves up to play good rugby for the school in the future.”

GBHS u14s 36 (Paenga-Morgan, Kaa, Billington, Jackson, Marino-Moore, Eyles tries; Paenga-Morgan, Horua, Barry conversions) Western Heights High School 0.

GBHS 14 (Paenga-Morgan, Barry tries; Barry, Horua con) Rotorua Boys’ High School 7.

GBHS 17 (King-Taufa 2, Barry tries; Horua conversion) Tauranga Boys’ College 19.

Semifinal: GBHS 25 (Barry 2, Horua, Billington, King-Taufa tries) Tauranga Boys’ College 19.

Final: GBHS 17 (Horua, Paenga-Morgan, Barry tries; Paenga-Morgan conversion) Te Wharekura o Mauao 10.