Rotorua primary school rugby sides make winning start

Rotorua Maroon Anaha Hini in action on day one. Photo/George Novak

Rotorua Gold and Rotorua Maroon have made winning starts in their quest for the Bill Murray Memorial Trophy in Mt Maunganui.

Rotorua Maroon have beaten Rangitaiki 47-7 and Rotorua Gold have won 50-5 over Galatea.

Both Rotorua teams failed to qualify for this year's Tai Mitchell Primary Schools Tournament being held at Blake Park.

This year two pre-season qualifying tournaments were held for the first time, splitting the 10 teams into two divisions - one to play for the Tai Mitchell Shield, the other the Bill Murray Trophy.

Day One results:

Tai Mitchell Shield:
Te Puke 62 v Whakatane 7
Tauranga West 10 v Opotiki 7
Tauranga East 14 v Tauranga North 5

Bill Murray Trophy:
Rotorua Maroon 47 v Rangitaiki 7
Rotorua Gold 50 v Galatea 5