Rotorua side wins Tai Mitchell Shield

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

In a hard fought final Rotorua Maroon have taken out the Tai Mitchell Shield with a 38 - 20 win over Tauranga East at Opotiki's Memorial Park.

Rotorua Maroon held a narrow 14 - 10 lead over Tauranga East at half-time.

In a thrilling final, Rotorua Maroon showed their dominance with a flurry of brilliant individual tries. Despite a determined Tauranga East side Rotorua Maroon went on to win 38 - 20.

Rotorua Gold finished in fourth place, going down 15-7 to Tauranga West in the play-off for third.

Rotorua Gold player Dawson Smith was awarded the Jim McKinnon Player of the Tournament Trophy. He was one of five Rotorua players named in the tournament team.

The annual Tai Mitchell tournament showcases the best primary school rugby talent in the Bay of Plenty.

Final Results:

Tai Mitchell Final: Rotorua Maroon 38 v Tauranga East 20
3rd/4th Play Off: Tauranga West 15 v Rotorua Gold 7
5th/6th Play Off: Te Puke 38 v Whakatane 24
7th/8th Play Off: Rangitaiki 43 v Opotiki 15
9th/10th Play Off: Tauranga North 29 v Galatea 15

Tai Mitchell Final Placings:

1st - Rotorua Maroon
2nd - Tauranga East
3rd - Tauranga West
4th - Rotorua Gold
5th - Te Puke
6th - Whakatane
7th - Rangitaiki
8th - Opotiki
9th - Tauranga North
10th- Galatea

Tai Mitchell Tournament Team:

Prop - Whare Hare-Herbert - Rotorua Maroon
Hooker - James Ririnui - Tauranga West
Prop - Joseph Vueti - Te Puke
Lock - Turei Tuhaka - Whakatane
Lock - Jai Knight - Tauranga East
Blindside - Mitchell Howe - Tauranga West
Openside - Sloane Lankshear - Tauranga West
No 8 - Julius Waldron - Rotorua Maroon
Halfback - Te Purewa Hohua - Whakatane
First Five - Miles Tapsell - Rotorua Maroon
Left Wing - Josese Vukataki - Te Puke
Second Five - Dawson Smith - Rotorua Gold
Centre - Xavi Taele - Tauranga West
Right Wing - William Harris - Tauranga West
Fullback - Daniel Simpkins - Rotorua Gold

Tai Mitchell Trophy Winners:

Shepheard Sportsmanship Trophy Winners: Opotiki

Jim McKinnon Player of the Tournament Trophy: Dawson Smith - Rotorua Gold