It was a golden North Island Secondary Schools Sevens tournament for the Rotorua Girls' High School at the Rotorua International Stadium.
The under-15 team retained their title after beating Hamilton Girls' High School 24-15 in their age group final of the annual two-day competition yesterday.
The under-15 Rotorua Girls' High School team. Photo/Supplied
Girls' High team managerCarolyn Katu said she was pleasantly surprised with the result after her side were beaten 24-7 by their final opposition in pool play earlier in the day.
"I'm delighted to get back-to-back titles, it's a terrific accomplishment," Katu said.
"All of us were really pleased with the outcome especially as we have a very young and new team here. Also we were beaten pretty substantially earlier in the day but the girls really lifted their performance and stepped up their game."
The local side, coached by Fred Cox and Jimmi McLean, had vice-captain Te Aomihi Williams Paul and fellow back Kataraina Rauwhero named in the under-15 tournament team.
Rotorua Girls' High School vice-captain Te Aomihi Williams Paul, pictured with the ball. Photo/Stepehn Parker
"Everybody played really well but it's also nice to see our girls make the tournament team and Te Aomihi [Williams Paul] and Kataraina [Rauwhero] showed quality consistently throughout the tournament," Katu.
Captain Anaya Waiomio-Anapu, who was presented the winning trophy by Black Ferns Sevens and Bay of Plenty player Michaela Blyde, was also a standout according to Katu.
"She [Waiomio-Anapu] really led our team well, especially in the final and we were surprised she missed out on that tournament team because she was strong throughout."
Rotorua Girls' High School under-15 captain Anaya Waiomio-Anapu presented the winning trophy by Black Ferns Sevens and Bay of Plenty player Michaela Blyde. Photo/Supplied
Girls' High reached the final after opening their tournament campaign with a draw and three wins during the first day of pool play - including a significant 39-0 victory over Tauranga Girls' College in their second match.
The local side followed this up with a 17-0 win over Tauranga Girls' yesterday before their only loss of the competition against Hamilton Girls' in their final pool match.
Katu said the side benefited from the input of fitness coach Mark Edmonds prior to the competition.
"Competing over two days isn't easy and the games are very quick - fitness is essential to do well and we're lucky that Mark [Edmonds] has really worked hard with the girls on that," she said.
Katu added the under-15 team had potential to go "very far" and was now eyeing success in the 2017 Condor Sevens national secondary schools tournament later this year - the age group title the school won last year for the first time.
"It's only early days with this new team but they have the potential to be very special," she said. "I have high hopes for them."
All North Island Secondary Schools Sevens tournament results here:
