Junior reps have busy season

The junior rep season is in full swing with games being played in 10s, 11s, 12s and 13s grades between sides representing either Mangonui, Bay of Islands, Hokianga and Whangarei sub unions. The following is a random review of two games played on Sunday, the second leg of the four week series, at Taipa and Kaikohe respectively.

Under 12s, Mangonui 10 Whangarei 21 (ht 5-21): Following a default from their Hokianga counterparts in the opening round of this year's rep series the previous week, the Mangonui under-12s played their first encounter of the junior rep rugby season in drizzly conditions at Taipa on Sunday. A strong first half by the visitors in scoring three quick tries and two penalties was enough to put the result beyond the reach of the homeside although Mangonui coach Darryn Shanks was left impressed with the way his players came back considering it was the "first time the boys have played together".

"Whangarei were a bit more structured, our team played more aggressively. Second half we played really well, I told them to get up in their faces and they did." Standouts were No.8 Henare Leef, 2nd five Zac Shanks and No.7 Reno Leef whose try late in the first half instilled confidence into the homeside going into the break at half-time.

The three other Mangonui junior rep sides - under 10s, 11s and 13s - also played Whangarei at Taipa on Sunday but their results weren't known or advised at time of going to press although it was understood the 11s were the only Mangonui team to record a win on the day.

Mangonui hosts the Bay of Islands teams at Waipapakauri this Saturday in the penultimate leg of the four-week series where the first two games were played on Sundays and the last two on Saturdays.

Under 13s, Hokianga 31 Bay of Islands 17 (20-0): Hokianga under-13s managing to hold on to the big lead established in the first half to face off a second half onslaught from the Bay of Islands in pouring rain at Kaikohe on Sunday. The match was one of three to take place on the day, with the two Bay sides winning the other two encounters over their Hokianga counterparts, the under 10s by 50-15, the under 11s by 10-5.

There was no under 12 game as Hokianga did not have enough numbers to field a side at this age grade in this year's rep series.

The Bay and Mangonui sides clash in 10s, 11s, 12s and 13s age grades at Waipapakauri this Saturday, games starting from 10am; Hokianga takes on Rodney Otamatea in 11s and 13s grades at Rawene; and Northern Wairoa hosts Whangarei sides at Dargaville.