There was no more emphatic start to the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools' first fifteen rugby competition than the Mount Maunganui College victory in division two.

Last year's division two semi-finalists laid down the challenge to the other contenders, when they overpowered new recruit Tauranga Boys' College Under-16 team. The margin of the 65 points to nil victory suggested that the Mount College team are genuine championship contenders this season.

Two other schools that are expected to be highly competitive in division two sat on the sideline last weekend, before their mid week engagement.

In a replay of last season's title decider, defending champions Bethlehem College will travel to the Great Lake region to play Taupo Nui A Tia College.

John Paul College and Katikati College laid down the gauntlet, with both schools posting bonus point victories. JPC posted 53 unanswered points against Te Puke High School, with Katikati College accounting for Tauranga Boys thirds 40-3.

The sole division one encounter was an Eastern Bay derby between Trident High School and Opotiki College. In an entertaining display of rugby, both sides picked up bonus points for four tries or better, before Trident prevailed 48-24.

The division three season opening encounters were taken out by Rotorua Lakes, Reporoa College, Aquinas College and Edgecumbe College.

The feature match in division two this Saturday, May 5 is the match-up in the Western Bay of Plenty between Bethlehem College and John Paul College. The defending division two champions could receive a torrid time from JPC who made an outstanding start to the season last weekend.

The sole division one game on Saturday will see Rotorua Boys' High School second fifteen travel to the Eastern Bay of Plenty to meet Trident High School.

Taupo School Tauhara College will enter the fray for the first time, after sitting out the bye last weekend. On Saturday they will play Rotorua Boys thirds in Rotorua. Reporoa who are former top echelon contenders are on the come back road, and will host Rotorua Lakes, with both sides taking first up wins into the match.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools First Fifteen Rugby Results 28 April 2012

Division One: Trident HS 48 Opotiki College 24

Division Two: John Paul College 53 Te Puke HS 0, Katikati 40 Tauranga BC3 – 3, Mount Maunganui College 65 Tauranga BC U16 – 0, Taupo Nui A Tia v Bethlehem College to be played midweek.

Points: JPC 5, Katikati 5, Mount Maunganui 5, Te Puke 0, Tauranga BC3 0, Tauranga BC U16 0

Division Three (Pool One) Rotorua Lakes 55 Rangitahi College 14, Reporoa 31 Rotorua BHS 10 (Pool Two) Aquinas College 17 Whakatane High School 5, Edgecumbe College 22 Kawerau College 0.

Points (Pool One) Rotorua Lakes 5, Reporoa 5, Rangitahi 0, Rotorua BC3 0 (Pool Two) Aquinas 5, Edgecumbe 5, Whakatane 0, Kawerau 0.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools Rugby Draw 5 May 2012

(Home Team Shown First)

Division One: Trident HS v Rotorua BHS2.

Division Two: Te Puke HS v Taupo Nui A Tia, Bethlehem v John Paul College, Tauranga BC3 v Tauranga BC U16, Mount Maunganui v Katikati.

Division Three (Pool One) Reporoa v Rotorua Lakes, Rotorua BHS3 v Tauhara, Rangitahi the bye (Pool Two) Edgecumbe v Aquinas, Whakatane v Kawerau.