One more hurdle for RBHS and Western Heights

SPEED: Reuben Griffiths makes a break for Western Heights High School against Manurewa High School on Saturday. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The Rotorua Boys' High School and Western Heights High School First XVs have secured valuable wins on their mission to earn a spot at top four national tournaments.

Western Heights are through to the Chiefs region co-ed final after beating Manurewa High School 15-14 at home yesterday.

It was a thriller of a game and Western Heights had to fight to the end as they trailed 14-12 with seconds left on the clock.

They were rewarded when they won a penalty and halfback Liam Preston slotted the kick at goal to win the game right on fulltime.

Western Heights now need to beat St Peter's in Cambridge on Saturday to lock in their place at the national co-ed First XV tournament.

Meanwhile, Rotorua Boys' High School beat New Plymouth Boys' High School 48-28 in New Plymouth.

The win means they will play Hamilton Boys' High School this Saturday for the right to represent the Chiefs region at the national First XV boys' national tournament, after Hamilton beat Wesley College 36-0.

Rotorua Boys' coach Ruki Tipuna said being in the top eight in the country was a great effort by his young side regardless of next week's result.

"We're pretty happy [with the win]. We didn't make New Plymouth work hard enough for their points, that's an ongoing issue.

"We attacked well - it was a nice day and a good track, we used the width well and the option taking was really good, as well as the execution for the most part.

"They had us under pressure a few times and got the ball over the line a couple of times, but I felt like we dealt with them pretty well in the end."

Tipuna expected a tough game away at Hamilton this Saturday.

"They're big and strong and they've been bullying teams this year. We have to come up with a strategy around that, given we're not the biggest and we're quite young.

"They're also really clinical and hold the ball for long periods, we have to figure out how to disrupt that or get turnovers."