Ross Shield: Hastings West lead going into the Battle of Hastings

The Wairoa team leads the parade through the home town during the opening of the 2025 Ross Shield Hawke's Bay Primary Schools rugby tournament on Tuesday.

The boys from out West have nudged ahead in the Ross Shield Hawke’s Bay Primary School rugby tournament as it lunges towards its Battle of Hastings on Thursday.

Hastings West became the only side with two wins in two games in claiming a 38-5 victory over home-side Wairoa on Wednesday, next-up Hastings East.

Hastings West hold bragging rights, having won last year’s battle when the tournament was played in Waipukurau, but Hastings East won in 2023 in Napier.

Hastings West last won the shield the last time the tournament was played in Wairoa in 2019.

Hastings East and defending champions Napier, who drew on Tuesday, both had second-day wins, East beating Dannevirke 34-7 and Napier finishing the day with a 35-19 win over Central Hawke’s Bay.

Napier plays Dannevirke in the opening game on Wednesday, followed by the crucial Life Members Salver country teams match between Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay.

Both are yet to win but have shown some plucky form, Wairoa being first to score in both of their wins.