Western Heights High School and Opotiki College will contest the premier prize in the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools 1st XV championships.
Defending Division One champions Opotiki College had a real tussle with Reporoa College in the Eastern Bay last weekend to grab a finals berth.
The home side started strongly with captain Shaun Williams leading from the front. The first Opotiki touchdown came when prop Scott Cooper crashed over after a lineout close to the line.
A second Opotiki try came in the first half after Mike Shaw strolled over, resulting in Opotiki leading 14-0 at the break.
A stirring comeback from Reporoa in the second half saw Ryan Hathaway dot down for the visitors.
While Reporoa continued to fight back, yet another Opotiki try came when Kanuta Pio ran down the touchline to score.
The hard-fought 21-7 victory to Opotiki has given the Eastern Bay side a chance for back-to-back Division One titles.
Meanwhile, Western Heights High School, with a long and proud history in secondary schools rugby, have another chance for glory after defeating John Paul College 28-13 in the other semifinal, in Rotorua.
In a game where the forward packs were evenly matched, the difference was the Western Heights backline.
Joshua Walker, who scored two tries, was in outstanding form, leading his side forward at every chance. Another to impress was Joshua Walker, who also scored a Western Heights try.
In the Division One final, to be played at Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke on Saturday, the match winner for Western Heights could be livewire halfback Jordan Ngamata-Poi, who contributed 13 points with his boot against John Paul College.
Two Western Bay teams will fight out the Division Two title after posting home semifinal victories. Mount Maunganui College had a titanic battle with Taupo's Tauhara College before prevailing 20-18.
The second post-section game was also close, with Otumoetai getting home against Rotorua Boys' thirds 15-10.
RESULTS
Division One: Western Heights High School 28 (Joshua Walker 2, Keehan Korau tries; Jordan Ngamata-Poi 3 pen 2 cons) John Paul College 13; Opotiki College 21 (Scott Cooper, Michael Shaw, Kanutu Pio tries; Brogan Connor 3 pens) Reporoa College 7 (Ryan Hathaway try; Logan Curry con).
Division Two: Mount Maunganui College 20 Tauhara College 18, Otumoetai College 15 Rotorua Boys' High School 10.
Division Three: Te Puke High School 27 Kawerau College 17, Aquinas College 17 Opotiki College 7.
Under-15 Championship: Otumoetai College 23 Opotiki College 13, Mount Maunganui College 22 Trident High School 10.
Under-14 Championship: Trident High School 11 Mount Maunganui 5, Rotorua Boys' High School defeated Opotiki College.
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