Battling for preseason supremacy

Early season bragging rights well and truly go on the line this weekend as six Western Bay of Plenty First XVs battle it out for preseason supremacy.

What started out as a cry for valuable pre-season hit outs is fast become a highly rewarding two-day tournament heading into the upcoming rugby season.


Western Heights High School facing Katikati at Otumoetai College. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

Today's Western Bay of Plenty Co Ed First XV tournament sees the likes of hosts Otumoetai College, Te Puke High School and Te Whar Kura O Mauao take part in the fast and furious shortened format.

Instead of traditional 40 minute halves, games are 20 minutes each way with sides getting two matches on the opening day – dipping their feet back into the physical rigors.

Pool A has Bethlehem College, Te Whar Kura O Mauao and Te Puke High School while Pool B sees Otumoetai College, Western Heights High School, and Katikati College.

Once pool play is accomplished sides reconvene on Tuesday for a chance at the silverware.

Otumoetai College head of physical education Jamie Davis says the tournament, heading into its fifth edition, is the perfect way for co-educational schools to start the season.

Davis, also the college's First XV coach, formulated the concept after constant attempts to arrange pre-season fixtures with other schools fell through.

Something that's now proving beneficial to both players and coaches. 'It's been very popular and now is a cemented fixture on their calendar.”

And 2015 seems a tightly contested fixture with the previous year's winner yet to lift the winner's shield two years in a row. Aquinas College, 2014's winners, aren't involved this year due to a lack of players.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union secondary schools manager Ian Parata says the great initiative has sides set to 'fight it out for supremacy” in the Western Bay.

Play startsat Otumoetai College from 9.30am tomorrow with the final pool play match at 2.30pm between Otumoetai College and Western Heights High School.

Finals day is this Tuesday from 10am with a 1pm final.

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