League: Sharks await Pikiao in final

Pikiao under-17 player Hayze Perham was in good form at five-eighth in Sunday's semifinal win over Otumoetai Eels. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua teenager Hayze Perham was a star performer at five-eighth for Pikiao as his team defeated the Otumoetai Eels 34-24 in their under-17 semifinal.

The semifinals for the Bay of Plenty Coastline under-17 and under-15 competitions were held on Sunday across the region.

The Pikiao Warriors and Pacific Sharks will meet in the final of the under-17 grade, after winning their semifinals at the weekend, while Pacific and the Otumoetai Eels will meet in the under-15 final.

Perham, who has signed for the Penrith Panthers, played rugby for Rotorua Boys' in their Super 8 final loss to Hamilton Boys' on Saturday, and looked a threat every time he touched the ball for Pikiao on Sunday.

Pikiao centre Tane Te Rangi scored a second half hat-trick at Mitchell Park, as the scoreline blew out at the end, but for most of the game the Eels were competitive.

The Eels matched Pikiao's three tries in the first half but trailed 18-12 at the break thanks to a superb goalkicking display from Pikiao halfback Leytohatoha Hohepa.

Haki Hamilton opened the scoring for the Eels with Uliti Uilou adding two more tries before the break.

Pikiao stretched their lead to 24-12 after the break but a well-worked move by the Eels put Charlie Tuimaualuga in and at 24-18 it was game on. But Pikiao responded with two more tries through Te Rangi to make the game safe.

The finals for the under-15 and under-17 grades will be played at 12pm and 1.30pm on Sunday, taking place at Puketawhero Park in Rotorua.

- Pikiao 34 (Tane Te Rangi 3, Hayze Perham, Josh Burton, Lorne Green tries; Leytohatoha Hohepa 5 goals). Otumoetai Eels 24 (Uliti Uilou 2, Haki Hamilton, Charlie Tuimaualuga, Bailey Nicholas tries; Tyrus Campbell goal, Uilou goal).