The first round of the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools' rugby competitions saw Whakatane's Trident High School come back from a 13 point deficit, against Western Heights High School to just go down in a real thriller 16-12.
The Rotorua visitors kicked an early penalty in the Division One encounter, and then followed up with a converted try following the application of intense pressure.
A second Heights penalty saw them lead 13-nil at the break. Calvin Buttirmore crossed for the first Trident try following a break by Graeme Whiri Tai.
On a rare visit into the Trident half in the second spell, Western Heights extended their lead with a beautifully executed dropped goal. In the final minutes Trident's Elijah Nicholas crossed for a touchdown, which was converted by Cameron Watkins for the 16-12 final score. In the other Division One matches played in round one, Opotiki College defeated Rotorua Boys' High School seconds 33-26 - with Tauranga Boys College seconds getting home 19-3 against a game Te Puke High first fifteen, after holding a narrow 5-3 lead at the break.
A real Division Two thriller took place at Reporoa College when Otumoetai College came to call.
The home side made the early running, with Ben Mason, Liam Griffin and No 8 Marty Axtens scoring tries in the first 20 minutes.
A comeback from the visitors including a touchdown to flying winger Jay Michalik and a second Otumoetai try saw the match evenly poised at the break with Reporoa holding a narrow 22-19 advantage.
Otumoetai scored a try early in the second spell to grab the lead, before Reporoa's Cyhan Tukahi capped off a strong game with the match-winning try. The final score of 26-22 to Reporoa College told of a close contest in a game that was up for grabs throughout. James McGruer and Tamati Jory scored the two other Otumoetai tries.
* Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools Rugby Results from April 24 -
First Fifteen Division One:
Western Heights 16 Trident HS 12, Tauranga BC 2nd XV 19 Te Puke HS 3, Opotiki College 33 Rotorua BHS 2nd XV 26.
Division Two: Reporoa College 26 Otumoetai College 22, Mount Maunganui College 7 Tauhara College 5, Whakatane HS 31 Katikati 12, JPC 46 Rotorua Lakes 3, Tauranga BC 3rd XV 31 Edgecumbe College 24.
Division Three: Taupo Nui A Tai 72 Rangatahi 0, Bethlehem 13 Tongariro 7, Aquinas 22 Kawerau 10.