Rotorua Boys' High School second XV player Te Rama Reuben makes a run against Western Heights High School. Photo / Supplied
Rotorua Boys' High School second XV player Te Rama Reuben makes a run against Western Heights High School. Photo / Supplied
The Rotorua Boys' High School second XV have maintained their unbeaten start to the season, defeating the Western Heights High School first XV 27-0 to claim the Dick Littlejohn Trophy.
Rotorua Boys' coach Craig Hodge said the game, which marked the end of round one and was played at WesternHeights on Saturday, was the first time his side had put in a full 80-minute performance.
"They went really well, we've probably been guilty of taking the foot off during the other games but we played the full 80 minutes on Saturday.
"It's been a long time since our second XV has beaten the Western Heights first XV and we wanted to finish the Baywide unbeaten," Hodge said.
The standout players for Rotorua Boys' included halfback Chey Kahika and lock Scott Leone.
"He made some good decisions under pressure and brought a kicking game that we hadn't seen all season, he was our man of the match. Scott is a workhorse, he had been all season, he's honest and you always get 100 per cent for the full 80 minutes from him."
While the players and coaches were ecstatic to win the Dick Littlejohn Trophy, Hodge said it was just "one box ticked" for the season and the focus was now on the second XV Super 8 competition.
"The boys were [pleased with the win] because they know the quality of Western Heights, who sadly probably aren't at their strongest, but the boys were stoked to get the trophy.
The Rotorua Boys' High School second XV are the Dick Littlejohn Trophy winners. Photo / Supplied
"It was good to tick that box before the Super 8 which is going to be a lot tougher. That starts on Thursday against Tauranga Boys' College in Tauranga."
He said the Rotorua Boys' High School Rugby Academy programme was paying dividends.
"The boys are getting a lot more touches during the school day through academy classes which I think is honing the skills they have. It means, come training time, we can focus a bit more on team stuff. I think that has contributed a lot."
The performances of some of the second XV players meant those in the first XV knew they had to keep their own standards high to keep their place.
"A number of players are knocking on the door there. That's certainly what we aim to do - try and get these guys in the first team. No spot is safe and the guys in the first XV know there's always someone knocking on the door trying to get in. We've got an awesome bunch of players in the second XV who could easily play at that level, they just have to take their opportunities when they come," he said.
Toi Ohomai Baywide Secondary Schools Rugby Results
Baywide 1st XV Division 1 Rotorua Boys' High School Barbarians v Te Wharekura o Mauao - Rotorua Boys' won by default Rotorua Boys' High School II 27 v Western Heights High School 0 Dick Littlejohn Trophy round one winners: Rotorua Boys' High School II
Baywide 1st XV Division 2 Te Puke High School 31 Aquinas College 15 Papamoa College 5 Otumoetai College 29 Tauhara College 43 Tauranga Boys' College III 5 Whakatane High School 26 Bethlehem College 20 Baywide 1st XV Division 2 round one winners: Te Puke High School
Baywide 1st XV Division 3 Opotiki College 17 Mount Maunganui 13 Katikati College v Reporoa College/John Paul College - no result received Baywide 1st XV Division 3 round one winners: Katikati College
