Last big event of year a success

A RUNNING GAME: Gisborne Girls’ High School’s Lily Hawea (second right) heads for a gap as Campion players Erin Somerton (third left) and Jasmine Sparks (right) look to cut her off. Girls’ High’s Timana Pokoati (second left) is running in support of the ball carrier. The teams were playing in the Quick Rip Festival.

Tairawhiti secondary school sport's last major event of the year was a resounding success, tournament organisers say.

Schools from across Gisborne came together to compete in the Quick Rip Festival, run by the Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union.

Gisborne Girls' High School beat Lytton 4-3 in the female division final.

Two Gisborne Boys' High School teams fought out the male division final. GBHS (1) beat GBHS (7) 5-4 in overtime.

Rubi Hart, of Gisborne Girls' High, was the female MVP (most valuable player), while Luca Russell, of Gisborne Boys' High, was the male MVP.

Quick rip is a non-contact variant of rugby where players have two “tags” attached to their hips by a velcro waistband, as is the case in rippa rugby, the game designed for young players as an introduction to rugby.

But quick rip is more aligned with rugby sevens in that players are allowed to kick the ball, and lineouts and scrums are included.

If the defence “rips” a tag, the player must pass the ball within three steps. A turnover is awarded after the attacking team has had six rips in a row.

Highlighting the increased appetite for quick rip, Gisborne Boys' High had eight teams in the tournament.