Blues competition kicks off at Ahipara

RUGBY UNION

Blues competition

North Zone beat its South Zone counterparts in under 14 and 16 divisions of the Blues IMB competition at Ahipara on Saturday.

The North Zone U14s wearing Kaikohe colours - and featuring several players from the Kaeo North Zone U14 championship winning side - won an entertaining encounter by 17-0 (three tries and a conversion) in the day's curtain raiser.

The North Zone 16s wearing Te Rarawa stripes and featuring from the the North Zone u16 championship winning side - won their encounter comfortably, 47-8, and were leading by several tries after the first half.

The matches were played in mild, moderate early spring conditions although a stiff north easterly blowing cross the pitch helped the teams running towards the western, coastal end of the pitch. The games seemed reasonably well attended although some were disappointed in the lack of promotion for the tournament from the Northland Rugby Union.

Both North Zone sides travel to play week 2 of the Blues competition in Kerikeri this Saturday.

The Blues tournament is a newly established model designed to increase the number of age-group players in the Blues' Auckland-based franchise. Exposing these players to developmental coaching and representative rugby was designed to assist in the identification and development of potential provincial and Super Rugby players.