KERIKERI High School underlined their status as the team to watch in the Northland secondary schools rugby competition this season with a convincing 67-0 victory over Northland College in Kaikohe last week. Jennian Homes Kerikeri High School dominated the match from start to finish against a spirited but tiring Northland Collegeside. Controlling possession and playing with pace and organisation, Kerikeri High School scored 11 unanswered tries, with seven coming in the second half. Coaches Mike Clent and Peter Nock were happy enough but both felt their team started the first half playing too loose, forcing passes and taking some "individual" options. However, a reminder about playing with structure and getting the ball through the hands saw the High School side settle into their familiar pattern and go on to score some very impressive long-range tries, racking up 55 points in the second half. With the strong Whangarei Boys' High School and Kamo High School first XV teams contesting in the Northland-wide under-18 championship, Kerikeri High School are ranked as the top contenders for the title. A number of younger players new to the Kerikeri team, including the goalkicking of Jaccia Cooper, have been a revelation. Blindside flanker Jacob Dromgool was ever present around the field, 2007 squad member Travis Larson had a great game with a number of storming breaks, and Ben Cottle and Waitai Neho-Popata ran hard and fast all match. The result gave a great confidence boost to the High School team after a long wait to get back on the field following pre-season matches against Hato Paroa College, Rangitoto College and Auckland Grammar School in Term One. It also was a wonderful way to begin the First XV's association with Jennian Homes Far North, who are the team's major sponsor in 2008.
