Otumoetai College surged to the lead in the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools Division One Rugby competition on Saturday after defeating Trident High School 28-13 in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The home team made a strong start and led the Western Bay visitors 8-7 at the halfway break.

Otumoetai captain Zep Kissling charged through to grab Otumoetai's first try.

The second spell belonged to Otumoetai with Jay Michalik and Tukuora Ngawhika dotting down to take the pressure of the visitors.

The first touchdown was a solo run of some 50 metres by Jay Michalik with Tukuora showing real power to break a Trident tackle to dot the ball down.

A comeback from Trident reduced the deficit when they were awarded a try late in the second half.

A standout for Otumoetai was the brace of tries awarded to Jay Michalik.

The icing on the cake was the four conversions kicked by Keegan Long, with Otumoetai taking out the encounter by 15 points.

The Otumoetai team management singled out Ihaka Barber and Leo Norris for praise saying both had strong games, which coupled with a high work rate, played a big part in the away from home victory.

Defending champions Western Heights moved into third place in the race for the semi-final berths, with a 52-5 victory against John Paul College.

The Western Heights forwards set the platform for victory to allow their backline to cut loose on a number of occasions.

Evan Groves showed real pace in the encounter and was rewarded with three tries, with Tawhiao Morrison, Jordan Fiola, Rawiri White and Jordan Ngamata-Poi also crossing for touchdowns.

Jordan Ngamata-Poi converted six of his team seven tries and directed his backline with real presence.

A real battle of attrition at Opotiki College saw the home side sneak home 5-3 from Te Puke High School.

With one round remaining before the semi-finals, five of the six teams are still in contention for a post section berth.

The key match-up next Saturday, August 13, will take place in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, where the winner of the Opotiki College versus Trident High School game will make the semi-finals, with the loser left to think about what might have been.

Bethlehem College's 37-24 victory over Katikati College in a high scoring encounter, should give the Western Bay School a home semi-final in two weeks time.

While Taupo Nui A Tia defeated Reporoa College 43-7, a local derby with Tauhara College on Saturday will decide whether Taupo Nui A Tia hosts the second semi-final. The third div two match-up resulted in Mount Maunganui getting home from Tauhara College 16-10 in a match that was up for grabs throughout.

Division three frontrunners Rotorua Boys' High School continued its unbeaten record in the championship round defeating Rotorua Lakes 43-14.

Aquinas College posted a 28-10 win against Tauranga Boys' College, with the Eastern Bay local match-up between Edgecumbe and Whakatane to be played during the week.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools Rugby First XV Results August 6

Division One: Otumoetai College 28 Trident HS 13, Western Heights HS 52 John Paul College 5, Opotiki College 5 Te Puke Hs 3.

Points: Otumoetai 14, Te Puke 12, Western Heights 10, Opotiki 9, Trident 8, JPC 4

Division Two: Taupo Nui A Tia 43 Reporoa 7, Mount Maunganui 16 Tauhara 10, Bethlehem 37 Katikati 24.

Points: Bethlehem 18, Taupo Nui A Tia 15, Mount Maunganui 14, Tauhara 7, Katikati 6, Reporoa 0.

Division Three: Rotorua BHS 43 Rotorua Lakes 14, Aquinas 28 Tauranga BC 10, Edgecumbe v Whakatane to be played midweek.

Points: Rotorua BHS 19, Edgecumbe 11, Whakatane 10, Aquinas 10, Tauranga BC 5, Rotorua Lakes 2.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools Rugby First XV Draws August 13

Division One: Otumoetai v JPC, Opotiki v Trident, Western Heights v Te Puke.

Division Two: Tauhara v Taupo Nui A Tia, Reporoa v Katikati, Mount Maunganui v Bethlehem.

Division Three: Aquinas v Rotorua Lakes, Tauranga BC v Edgecumbe, Rotorua BHS v Whakatane.