Rugby: Semifinals day for six 1st XVs

The business end of the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary School Rugby competitions has arrived, with six championship semifinals to be played out tomorrow.

Taking centre stage is the division one title race, where Bethlehem College finished as top qualifier after a unbeaten run since the holiday break. It is expected there will be a big turnout on the sidelines when the home team square off against John Paul College.

The Rotorua school booked a semifinal berth last week after defeating last year's champions Western Heights High School.

Trident High School were rewarded for good form throughout the season with the second home semifinal where they will meet Otumoetai College.

Last weekend, Trident warmed up for the post section action with a solid 32-0 win against Mount Maunganui, while Otumoetai College accounted for Taupo Nui-A-Tia 29-10.

Katikati College and Reporoa College, who come from either ends of the union's border, will battle for a division two finals berth in the Western Bay of Plenty.

While Katikati were to the forefront throughout the competition, Reporoa College booked their place only when they defeated Te Puke High School last Saturday.

The other division one semifinal will be fought out in Taupo between second qualifier Tauhara College and Aquinas College.

Rotorua Boys High School has two sides in the division three playoffs. The school's Under 15A team will host Kawerau College, with the 3rd XV playing Rotorua Lakes at Rotorua High School.

The Tauranga Boys Under-15A team finished as top qualifier in the 2nd XV competition and will play Mount Maunganui College, with Western Heights High School at home to Tauranga Boys' 4th XV.

The under-15 premiership post section will be contested by Trident High School, who play Western Heights, with Opotiki facing off against Mount Maunganui. In the under-14 premiership ranks, Rotorua Boys face Western Heights, with Opotiki hosting new season recruit Te Wharekura O Mauao in the Eastern Bay.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools Rugby semifinals draw August 11

(Home teams first)

1st XV Division One: Bethlehem v John Paul College (Greerton Park), Trident v Otumoetai.

1st XV Division Two: Katikati v Reporoa (Moore Park), Tauhara v Aquinas.

1st XV: Rotorua Boys' High School U15A v Kawerau, Rotorua BHS3 v Rotorua Lakes.

2nd XV Division: Tauranga Boys' College U15A v Mount Maunganui (played August 9), Western Heights High School v Tauranga Boys' College 4.