Tournament needs school buy in

A Tauranga First XV coach remains hopeful that more schools will jump at the chance of permanent pre-season fixtures after a small showing at an annual co-ed tournament.

Two days of fast-paced action culminated in the finals of the annual Western Bay of Plenty Co Ed First XV tournament yesterday, with just three finals run at Otumoetai College.

An Otumoetai College XV player fends off a Bethlehem College opponent. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

After two wins on Saturday's opening day, Rotorua's Western Heights High School continued their winning form, taking out the shield final against Te Puke High School.

But due to Western Heights' ineligibility as a Western Bay of Plenty school, Te Puke gets to keep the tournament shield for the next 12 months.

In the cup division, Te Whare Kura O Mauao accounted for Katikati College 37-10, while Otumoetai College put Saturday's disappointing results behind them to thrash Bethlehem College 33-7 in the plate division.

Otumoetai College head of physical education Jamie Davis says perfect weather and good crowds were on hand for some open rugby, which is reduced to 20-minute halves.

'All the schools involved reported that they enjoyed the 20-minute halves format,” says Jamie, 'because it gave them opportunities to play two schools and did not extend their boys early in pre-season.

'Each team showed the ability they have and every year the shield has been won by a different school, so it does provide an equal opportunity.”

But the lack of co-ed schools looking to take advantage of the pre-season opportunity is something Davis, also co-coach of the school's First XV, hopes will change come the sixth annual running in 2016.

'A short school term of only eight weeks and the overlap between summer and winter codes has prevented some local schools attending,” he adds. 'I hope that they will return next year.”

Western Bay of Plenty Co Ed First XV tournament final results:

Te Puke High won the Shield trophy.

Te Whare Kura O Mauao beat Katikati College to win the cup division 37-10.

Otumoetai College beat Bethlehem 33-7 to win Plate division.







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