For the first time since 2004, the Bay of Plenty Primary School rugby representative team have held the Roller Mills Shield aloft in triumph as they won a thriller to take out the major prize at the 2011 Roller Mills tournament, played at Rhode Park in Thames.

The Bay of Plenty representatives faced a huge challenge as they ran out onto the number one field at Rhode Park in the 2011 Roller Mills championship decider.

Facing defending champions Auckland East, the tournament favourites had already despatched the Bay of Plenty side in round robin play, winning 39-13 on day three.

Determined not to repeat the first match-up between the two sides, where Bay of Plenty were trailing by 24 points at half time, the Bay side went on the offensive from the opening whistle.

An 8-7 advantage to Bay of Plenty at half time, courtesy of a try to Kini Ormsby and a penalty slotted by Eru Hohepa, saw the championship up for grabs in the second spell.

While Galatea prop Connor Gordon scored a second spell try for Bay of Plenty, the Auckland team came back into the encounter, to lead 15-13 with the clock ticking down. Connor Cordon again crashed over in the last minute of the match to grab the victory, with Eru Hohepa adding the icing to the cake converting the Bays third touchdown.

The 20-15 victory, was the ninth time that Bay of Plenty had won the symbol of primary school rugby superiority in the Auckland Province, since the Bay re-entered the Roller Mills competition in 1995.

Roller Mills Final 2011

BOP 20 (Connor Gordon 2, Kini Ormsby tries; Eru Hohepa pen con) Auckland East 15

Other Finals Day Results

3rd/4th – North Harbour 25 Waikato 15

5th/6th – Northland 20 Counties Manukau 7

7th/8th – Auckland West 31 King Country 5