Sevens at Rectory

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Napier Tech will begin the defence of their Poverty Bay Sevens rugby title with a game against Havelock North at the Rectory tomorrow.

As well as local clubs YMP and High School Old Boys, Havelock North and MAC (Hawke’s Bay) are also returning.

“We’re waiting on some possible late entries but either way it should be a close competition,” Poverty Bay Heartland assistant coach Dwayne Russell said.

Games start at 10am, when YMP play HSOB.

For the local players it’s a chance to make the Bay sevens team to play at the Waikato sevens tournament on November 25 and then the regionals on December 9.

Ten men’s teams, including two from Tokararangi, will take part in the Ngati Porou East Coast Sevens at Whakarua Park. Six women’s teams — Hiku, Toka, TVC, Hicks Bay, Waiapu and City — will also take part.

“We won’t be selecting a rep sevens team this year but it should be a good day out for all the clubs and the whanau,” Ngati Porou East Coast Heartland co-coach Troy Para said.

“No rep teams will be selected to travel to the regional sevens in Levin. We have had poor attendance in previous years.”