Trophy kicks off in fine style

SCHOOLBOY RUGBY LEAGUE

Results from the opening round of the Adam Blair Trophy first XIII tournament played last week were:

Kaitaia College 40 Abundant Life Aniwaniwa Combined 28 (ht 20-12): Kaitaia College led throughout over the visitors, a combined team made up of players from Abundant Life and Te Rangi Aniwaniwa along with various players from Taipa Area School.

For an early season hit-out, the skills, support play and intensely-contested nature of the game were all of good quality and were certainly well appreciated by a decent-sized crowd gathered on the top fields on Thursday evening.

After school sporting clashes rule, okay!

Although it was hard not to wince every time someone ran the ball up and displayed a particularly scant regard for the concrete-hard ground.

Other results from round 1 were (all following games taking place last Wednesday evening), Northland College 24 Okaihau College 26: last year's grand finalists starting their season with a win; Bay of Islands College 16 WBHS 20: the defending champions beginning their Adam Blair campaign in victory; and, Dargaville 12 Kamo High 30.

The draw for round 2 of the Northland secondary schoolboys midweek league tournament tomorrow is (home sides given first) North Zone: Okaihau College vs Kaitaia College 4.30pm; Northland College vs Aniwaniwa/ Abundant Life Combined 4.30pm; and, South Zone: Dargaville High vs Bay of Islands College at Kamo High 5.15pm, WBHS vs Dargaville High 4.30pm.

9s in Kaitaia

In other league news, the call has gone out to all Northland clubs to take part in the Muriwhenua Rugby League 9s at Arnold Rae Park on Saturday, March 16 from 10am.

Organisers said the event will be limited to the first eight teams to register, and advised the promoted winners' payouts currently on offer - eg $1000 for 1st, $500 for 2nd, and $100 for the MVP - were dependent on how many teams actually turned up.

Cost to enter a team was $260, and there will be stalls offering entertainment, food and refreshments on the day as well.

For more information, contact Anaru Cassidy (021) 0265-8032, or Vince Rudolph (021)730-272.