Bay of Plenty player Te Ahurei Epapara makes a run against Manawatu in the Northern Districts Rugby League Tournament under-17 final. Photo/Stephen Parker
Bay of Plenty player Te Ahurei Epapara makes a run against Manawatu in the Northern Districts Rugby League Tournament under-17 final. Photo/Stephen Parker
There was a wealth of young rugby league talent on display in Rotorua last week during the North Island Districts Tournament.
The week included under-13, under-15 and under-17 boys' and girls' tournaments, and a one-off match between Waikato and Bay of Plenty under-14s, which Waikato won 14-6.
Of the Bayof Plenty teams, the under-15s were the highest achievers, smashing Northland 56-0 in their final.
The Bay of Plenty under-17s also made the final, in which they went down 18-12 to Manawatu in miserably wet conditions.
Bay of Plenty and Manawatu looked evenly matched in the early stages of the final, but Bay put pressure on themselves with some ill-discipline. Manawatu opted to kick a penalty from about 20m out but missed and the score remained 0-all.
Despite the momentum being against them, it was Bay of Plenty who opened the scoring 10 minutes in when Caleb Piua straightened up close to the tryline and was able to reach out and score in the tackle.
Manawatu squared things up at 6-all when Sheldon Tairea was rewarded for some strong line running and raced through to score in the right-hand corner.
Manawatu kicked a penalty late in the first half to take an 8-6 lead into the break.
Bay of Plenty were down to 12 men for much of the second half when they had a player red carded for dissent.
Manawatu extended their lead to 12-6 before halfback Brooklyn Herewini produced a superb piece of solo play, stepping through the defensive line, beating the fullback and scoring under the posts. The try was converted and Manawatu led 18-6.
Bay's Sean Field scored late in the game and the conversion meant his side were a chance of a comeback, trailing 18-12. However, Manawatu dug in and held on for the victory.
The under-13 boys' tournament was won by Northland, while Waikato produced a clean sweep in the girls' tournaments.
For the teams of the tournament and individual awards, go to the Upper Central Zone Rugby League Facebook page.
North Island Districts Rugby League Tournament Winners
