Touch: RBHS secure title in tight final

Rotorua Boys' High School have continued their fine form this year with the oval ball, picking up a national title in touch. Pictured (with ball) is Rotorua Boys' player Reuben Te Kani-Taylor in action at the weekend.

The Rotorua Boys' High School touch team have won back-to-back national titles.

The school side defeated Hamilton Boys' High 4-2 in their final on Sunday at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Touch Champ s in Auckland.

There was a hint of revenge to the victory, after Hamilton knocked Rotorua out of the Condor National Sevens tournament a week earlier.

"We are absolutely rapt," Rotorua coach Maurice Stone Snr said. "I don't know if I would call it revenge but it was nice to get one over Hamilton after last week.

"It was a typical, tight final which went right down to the wire. It was anyone's game really and thankfully we got out to a good lead, ahead 3-1 at half-time, then held on to win."

He said there was a bit of pressure to defend the title and he was proud of his team to achieve the feat.

"I'm kind of relieved as well. It is quite rare for a lot of teams to do be able to that, with the high expectations and the backing up."

Stone said a good chunk of the team which featured in the winning side last year were in the side again at the weekend. "We would have had about 10 from last year and we had a squad of 16."

Rotorua Boys' lost one match to Palmerston North Boys' High School - during the top eight section of the tournament - but still managed to qualify for the semifinals.

They then convincingly defeated Westlake Boys' High School (Auckland) in the semifinals 12-3 to qualify for the final.

The local team will get a shot at a three-peat next year.

"That would be fantastic. That will be the challenge now to go for a three-peat, but that is easier said than done."

Four Boys' High players were named in the tournament team including Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Reuben Te Kani-Taylor, Joshua Taylor, and Jayden Sargent.

Many of the player who featured in the school's touch team also played for the Rotorua Boys' 1st XV rugby team this year, which won a national title in September.

Meanwhile, St Kentigern College won the girls' division and Wanganui High School won the mixed grade.

- The successful RBHS touch team:

Ngarohi McGarvey-Black (c), Jayden Sargent (vc), Reuben Te Kani-Taylor, Joshua Taylor, Te Ra Whata, Te Manawapa Whata, Tamamutu Whata, Leethan Rawiri, Rawiri Manley, Kaleb Trask, Matangireia Yates-Francis, Taane Paki, Tristan Taute-Collier, Kingita Kingi, Taina Perfect, Fakiria Te Hau. Coaches: Maurice Stone Snr, Shaquille Stone. Trainers: Sam Cameron, Jared Tauiwi. Manager: Ira Te Kani.