Secondary school rugby comes to a head

FINAL HURDLE: Te Whare Kura o Te Mauao and Western Heights High School renew their rivalry in the Baywide Secondary Schools Division 1 final today. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

With 14 weeks of secondary school rugby done and dusted, this season's division finalists now have the chance to be crowned champions.

The best Bay of Plenty secondary school teams will gather at Rugby Park in Whakatane todayfor the Bethlehem Coachlines Finals Day.

The Division 1 final sees the best two teams all season renew their rivalry when Te Whare Kura o Mauao take on Western Heights High School.

Both teams are stacked with talent and their last encounter was a tough battle, which TWKM won 29-17 to claim the Te Kani Shield.

With contrasting styles, the outcome of the final could come down to which team is able to execute their own game plan while making the fewest mistakes.

Last week, in the semifinals, Western Heights High School showed their class by easily disposing of Rotorua Boys' High School Second XV 26-3. They played a clinical and simple pattern of play which they executed flawlessly.

Meanwhile, TWKM faced a tough and determined Bethlehem College. They had to fight hard for a 27-6 win, with the final score not reflecting the close nature of the game.

Taupo Nui a Tia and Te Puke High School will face off in the Division 2 final.

Te Puke's only loss this season was against Taupo Nui a Tia and they will be keen to redeem themselves on the big stage this Saturday.

Te Puke High School have been in sizzling form in the past two weeks and showed their class with an emphatic 48-0 win over Tauhara College last week.

Taupo, on the other hand, may be a little underdone having only played one game in four weeks. It promises to be a bruising encounter.

The under-15 Premier Boys and the Second XV Boys will kick off the day at 10.30am.

Trident High School under-15 will host Tauranga Boys' College under-15A. These two teams have been neck and neck throughout the competition. Both teams have big packs and exciting backlines.

With experienced coaches Brett Wharewera at Trident High School and Hamish Boyce at Tauranga Boys' College, this match promises to be an exciting, flowing affair. The difference may be Trident High School having the local support behind them.

The best in secondary schools girls' rugby will also be on display when Tauranga Girls' College take on Rotorua Girls' High School.

The gap between these two teams has closed during the season with Rotorua narrowly losing in the competition round.

Not only is the Cay Title up for grabs, but the winner will also represent the Bay of Plenty in the national top four playoffs against Hamilton Girls High School.

Baywide Secondary Schools Draw:

Division 1:
Te Wharekura o Mauao v Western Heights High School
Field 1, Rugby Park
Kickoff 1.30pm

Premier Girls:
Tauranga Girls' College v Rotorua Girls' High School
Field 1, Rugby Park
Kickoff 12pm

Division 2:
Taupo Nui a Tia College v Te Puke High School
Field 2, Rugby Park
Kickoff 12pm

Under-15 Premier:
Tauranga Boys College 15A v Trident High School
Field 1, Rugby Park
Kickoff 10.30am

2nd XV Division:
Tauranga Boys College Fifth XV v Western Heights High School Second XV
Field 2, Rugby Park
Kickoff 10.30am

All games to be played at Rugby Park, Whakatane.