Log jam in final round of secondary school rugby

The Toi Ohomai Baywide Secondary Schools competition is heating up. Photo / File

The last week of round robin play sees a log jam of teams in most divisions wanting to secure a semifinal spot in the Toi Ohomai Secondary Schools competition.

The finals will be held as a curtain-raiser to the Steamers opening game at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday, August 18 in what should be a festival of Bay rugby.

Holding on to the Te Kani Shield for the season was one goal for Trident High School, alongside securing a semifinal spot which they can achieve with a win over Taupō Nui a Tia.

Trident performed well against a determined Rotorua Boys' High School XV and should be too strong for the visiting Taupō Nui a Tia team who have been struggling with player injuries.

With Western Heights High School, Te Puke High School, John Paul College and Te Wharekura o Mauao all in contention for a semifinal, it is Te Wharekura o Mauao who have the toughest hurdle when they face in-form Te Puke.

With Jack Hollinshead running a slick backline, and exceptional tactical kicking always putting his big pack on the go forward, Te Puke are desperate to claim a home semifinal.

John Paul College will be smarting from a surprise draw with Aquinas College and now find themselves having to win just to secure a semifinal spot. The Rotorua Boys' Barbarians are primed to cause an upset against the number two team in the competition and local rivals.

In Division Two, Tauhara College First XV sit clear of the pack, but four teams are vying for the remaining three spots.

Katikati College will host Otumoetai College - with the winner going through - while Tauranga Boys' College III will travel to Tauhara College in Taupō. Meanwhile, Opōtiki College, with the return of Corey Howe, simply need a win to take the fourth spot.

Toi Ohomai Baywide Secondary Schools Draw
Saturday

Division One First XV
(Kick-off 12pm)
John Paul College v Rotorua Boys' High School Barbarians
Te Puke High School v Te Wharekura o Mauao
Trident High School v Taupō Nui a Tia College
Western Heights High School v Aquinas College

Division Two First XV
(Kick-off 12pm)
Whakatāne High School v Opōtiki College at Ruatoki
Otumoetai College v Katikati College
Tauhara College v Tauranga Boys' College III
Papamoa College – Bye

Division Three First XV
(Kick-off 12pm)
Tauranga Boys' College V v Te Puke High School II
Bethlehem College v Tauranga Boys' College Under-16
Mount Maunganui College v Trident High School II
Rotorua Boys' High School Under 15A v Reporoa/John Paul College II

Under-15 Premiership
(Kick-off 10.30am)
Taupō Nui a Tia College v Mount Maunganui College
Te Wharekura o Mauoa v Western Heights High School
Tauranga Boys' College White v Tauranga Boys' College Blue
Rotorua Boys' High School B – Bye

Under-15 Championship
(Kick-off 10.30am)
Tauranga Boys' College Gold v Papamoa College
Otumoetai College v Rotorua Boys' High School C
Whakatāne High School v Trident High School
John Paul College v Tauhara College

Under-14 Premiership
(Kick-off 10.30am)
Tauranga Boys' College Gold v Tauranga Boys' College Blue
Trident High School v Tauranga Boys' College White (Mid Week)
Bethlehem College/Otumoetai College Barbarians v Rotorua Boys' High School Navy
Rotorua Boys' High School Red – Bye