Kaitaia College 1st XV fall short of Whangārei Boys' High School 2nd XV development team

Kaitaia College 1st XV playmaker Theo Van Der Mei (with ball) looks to spread the play wide against Whangārei Boys' High School on Wednesday. Photo / Adam Pearse

A valiant effort from Kaitaia College's first XV rugby team wasn't enough to hold off the Whangārei Boys' High School second XV development team, who won 19-14 on Wednesday.

In a tight encounter played in slick conditions at Whangārei Boys' High School (WBHS), both sides performed well to keep the score close until the final stages where the home team pulled ahead.

The game was originally to be played in Kaitaia but when the WBHS team said they could not field a team to make the trip, Kaitaia College decided to drive down as it would have been the latest in a run of unplayed fixtures due to defaults and byes.

Whangārei Boys' High School Tea-Rani Woodman-Tuhoro (left) was dynamic in midfield for the home team. Photo / Adam Pearse

Alec Tipene from Whangārei Boys' High School gets nailed in a tackle from Kaitaia's Adam Pomare. Photo / Adam Pearse

Kaitaia College get set for kickoff, from left, Adam Pomare, Cruz Lasike, Theo Van Der Mei and Vinnie Payton. Photo / Adam Pearse

Jojo Pomare from Whangārei Boys' High School eyes space out wide for his wingers to exploit. Photo / Adam Pearse

Kaitaia halfback Toa Manuel (right) flings the ball to his backline from the base of the ruck. Photo / Adam Pearse

Whangārei Boys' High School forward Riley Lloyd (centre) reaches high in the lineout. Photo / Adam Pearse

Kaitaia's Adam Pomare uses an interesting stretching technique during Wednesday's game. Photo / Adam Pearse

Whangārei Boys' High School's Jojo Pomare lines up a conversion. Photo / Adam Pearse

Even after the long drive to Whangārei, there was plenty of spirit in this Kaitaia College team. Photo / Adam Pearse