Whanganui High to the rescue

Whanganui High School has come to the party and ensured the Mark Ranby Invitational 1st XV rugby tournament has a future.

The annual tournament launched in 2007 is named after All Black No 1001 Mark Ranby, a pupil of original host Freyberg High School. However, its last host and current trophy holder Kapiti College has pulled out of the tournament.

In stepped WHS with help from the Wanganui Rugby Union.

The tournament began on Monday with WHS, Taradale High School, Freyberg, Hawera High School and Tawa College vying for honours.

WHS deputy principal Chris Friedel said he and the school were keen to promote Whanganui as an ideal sporting venue for all codes.

"Initially the tournament involved Freyberg, Whanganui, Feilding, Havelock and Taradale high schools and when Feilding pulled out in 2012 Kapiti took over its spot. Havelock has since been replaced by Tawa," Friedel said

"This year we have tried to revitalise the tournament in Whanganui. They were having difficulty finding a venue, so we hatched a plan to host it here working with Wanganui rugby union.

"I feel really strongly about promoting Whanganui as a sporting venue. We have all the facilities and a supportive network right here in town.

"The Wanganui Rugby Union has been a huge help supporting the tournament and providing referees, while the Mad Butcher has stepped in supplying sausages for our prizegiving," Friedel said.

"Kapiti won the title last year, but whoever wins this season goes home with the trophy, a mounted statue of Mark Ranby. We have won the trophy five times, Tawa four and Kapiti once since its inception."

Live scoring, results, photographs and match updates are available by visiting: Click here to see Mark Ranby rugby page
After yesterday's sessions WHS is looking a solid chance to make the final today with only Freyberg standing in its way. In the other match-up this morning Tawa plays Taradale.

Results
Day One (Monday)
Round one: Tawa 19, WHS 7; Hawera 15, Freyberg 0; Taradale bye
Round two: Hawera 41, Taradale 12; Tawa 21, Freyberg 10.

Day two (Tuesday)
Round one: WHS 24, Hawera 12; Freyberg 43, Taradale 10; Tawa bye
Round two: WHS 44, Taradale 7; Tawa 57, Hawera 7; Freyberg bye