Lightweight tournament ‘buzzy for us’

Gisborne Intermediate A team member Indie Nikora has a Tauranga defender to contend with at the lightweight (under-48 kilogram) rugby tournament held at Gis Int. Ready to support Indie are Rori Fukushima-Hall (left) and Patrick McInnes. Eight teams from seven schools, including four from Bay of Plenty, took part, with Te Puke emerging the overall winners. Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne Intermediate hosted the interschool lightweight rugby tournament last week and it did not disappoint.

Eight teams competed in the under-48 kilogram competition which is into its 14th year.

Schools travelled from Te Puke, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Whakatāne while Gisborne Intermediate had three teams involved and Ilminster Intermediate one side.

Hawke’s Bay usually send through their two top school teams but were unable to attend due to the state highway closure between Wairoa and Napier.

Event organiser Wayne Ensor was rapt the tournament went ahead following the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle. He praised the teams who made the trip through and highlighted the camaraderie shown.

“They’ve been awesome and we have had good social interactions from the staff who are from out of town, too, so it’s a cool couple of days for all of us.”

“It’s buzzy for us . . . it’s just neat to have something positive in our town again.”

The tournament featured some great rugby, with technique and fair play the focus.

Te Puke School beat a fierce Tauranga side in the final.

The tournament also gave Year 10 and 11 students from Gisborne Boys’ High the chance to get some experience officiating. Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union game development officer Miah Nikora said it could be a pathway for new referees.

Joel Pearce began his refereeing career at this tournament and has gone from strength to strength, including reffing a Senior 1 game the previous weekend.

“Les (Thomas) went down during the warm-up so Joel had to jump in.”