Rugby: Rotorua Boys' High too powerful

It was one hurdle too many for rugby debutants Te Wharekura O Mauao under-14 at this year's Bay of Plenty secondary schools' finals day.

Playing in the under-14 premiership final, the kurakaupapa came up against a dogged Rotorua Boys' High School under-14 squad who dismantled Mauao 57-7.

Despite some hard running by No 8 Te Rupe Douglas and props Tanati Bidois and Te Hira Roberts, Mauao could not match the skill and pace shown by Boys' High.

Rotorua piled on an impressive nine-tries-to-one win, directed by first-five Urutohatoha Hohepa.

His ability to slice through a gap, set his backline alight and spiral punt a ball shows he has inherited some of his great grandfather George Nepia's rugby skills.

The youngster kicked six from nine at the weekend with the side running in four tries to zip in the first half to lead 24-0 at the break.

Mauao's only points came in the second half while Rotorua prop Mita Takuira was given 10 minutes in the bin by referee Hamish Warner for an illegality. But Rotorua would pile on five tries in the second half and never looked under threat against Mauao, who were in their first season in the competition.

Another standout for the red and blues was halfback Te Ra Whata. Both Whata and Hohepa have played Tai Mitchell and Roller Mills rugby together and their combination was clearly evident around the paddock.

In the 2nd XV premiership final, Western Heights High School blew a 12-5 halftime lead against Tauranga Boys' College to go down 20-17. Heights looked strong throughout the match but poor discipline and a red card late in the second spell sealed their fate.

The under-15 premiership final was a tough battle between Mount Maunganui College and Trident High School. The sides were locked up at 10-10 at halftime and went try-for-try after the break. The match was not decided until the last couple of minutes, when Trident converted a penalty and scored a try on fulltime to win 23-15.

A Rotorua derby between Rotorua Boys' High and Rotorua Lakes High, in the division three final, was a one-sided affair, with Boys' High maintaining their unbeaten season record. Coached by Liam Coleman, Brad Savage and James Porter the side scored six tries in a 35-5 win.

In the division two final Aquinas College were no match for Reporoa College who scored an impressive 38-0 win over their Tauranga counterparts. Aquinas were only 12-0 down at halftime but Reporoa went into overdrive in the second spell, notching up four tries.