Opotiki keen to keep up top run

With just two games remaining in the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools 1st XV qualifying rounds, there will be real urgency today for teams to cement their places in order to book semifinal berths.

The division one title race sees just four points separating the top six contenders.

Opotiki College have a good chance to book a post-section berth this weekend when they play Bethlehem College who sit mid-table, albeit with a game in hand.

Last weekend, Opotiki cemented equal top spot defeating Western Heights 19-0, while Bethlehem remained in contention with a hard-fought win over John Paul College.

Joint leaders Trident High School joined Opotiki in the top spot, beating Otumoetai College 20-14 in a close game last weekend. This week they play Taupo-Nui-A-Tia in Taupo with a post-section place beckoning if they win.

A Western Bay local derby will take place at Mount Maunganui College, when the home side square off against Otumoetai College. The Mount school defeated Taupo last week as a warm-up for this week's local derby. In the other division one match-up, JPC had a solid win over Western Heights High School.

Tauhara College were knocked off their top spot in Division Two last weekend, when Katikati College ran away from the Taupo team, winning 51-7. However, the Taupo side sit just a point off the lead and will want to get their post-section campaign back on track against Te Puke College this week.

Katikati face a trip to the Eastern Bay to play Whakatane High School today. Victory should book them a semifinal place with one round remaining.

Edgecumbe play Tauranga Boys thirds in the Eastern Bay with Aquinas hosting Reporoa.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools Draw

(Home team shown first)

Division One: Mount Maunganui v Otumoetai, Taupo-Nui-A-Tia v Trident, Bethlehem v Opotiki.

Points: Opotiki 16, Trident 16, Otumoetai 14, Mount Maunganui 14, Bethlehem 13*, JPC 12, Taupo-Nui-A-Tia* 7, Western Heights 3 (* game in hand).

Division Two: Aquinas v Reporoa, Edgecumbe v Tauranga BC3, Tauhara v Te Puke, Whakatane v Katikati.

Points: Katikati 20, Tauhara 19, Aquinas 19, Whakatane 14, Reporoa 12, Te Puke 11, Edgecumbe 6, Tauranga BC3 0.