League: Pacific to defend nines tourney title

The annual Bay of Plenty Nines tournament is being held in Rotorua tomorrow. Pictured is Pacific player Yannis Mea making a break. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Pacific Sharks will look to defend their title during the annual Bay of Plenty Nines tournament in Rotorua.

The nines tournament - organised by the Bay of Plenty District Rugby League - is the final pre-season hit-out before local league clubs begin the regular season.

The tournament is being held tomorrow at Puketawhero Park.

Pacific (Tokoroa) are the defending champions in the premier grade and are entered again this year.

A total of 13 teams will be on display playing across three divisions: premier, reserve grade and division one.

Pacific, Pikiao, Ngongotaha and Taupo will compete in the premier division; Reporoa, Putaruru, Mangakino, Forestland and Tauhara in the division one competition; and Pikiao, Taupo, Pacific and Central in the reserve grade.

Games start at 1pm tomorrow with the premier grade final at 6.15pm.

This year will see league teams from the Bay of Plenty taking part in a new 13-a-side competition with teams from Coastline.

However, Coastline teams are not taking part in the nines tournament this weekend.