The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools first fifteen top echelon championships, is shaping up as one of the most even affairs for a number of seasons, with all but one team having posted a win in the opening two weeks.

John Paul College impressed on Saturday when they defeated Otumoetai College 27-12 after leading 20-12 at the half way break.

Outstanding defence by JPC kept the Western Bay team from scoring any tries in the encounter.

The first JPC try came from an individual effort from winger Ben Gimblet, with Chris Peters from his role as the team's hooker dotting down the two other JPC touchdowns.

Josh White had an excellent game both on defense and attack, with Logan Norman producing a 100 per cent kicking record slotting three conversions and two penalty goals.

Mount Maunganui College went to the top of the standings, when they squeezed past defending champions Western Heights High School 15-14.

While Western Heights are yet to post a win, both their first two encounters went down to the wire.

Bethlehem College defeated Trident High School in another thriller, finally getting home 26-25 at Bethlehem College.

Opotiki College, shrugged off the rigours of the long trip from the Eastern Bay to play Taupo Nui A Tia in Taupo, to beat the Taupo region school 27-21.

Tauhara College and Whakatane High School lead the point's ladder in Division Two, after both posted successive victories on the weekend.

While Tauhara won courtesy of a Tauranga Boys College default, the Eastern Bay representatives sneaked home from Reporoa College 23-21.

Other Division Two team to post victories were Aquinas College defeating fellow Western Bay's Katikati College 27-17, while Edgecumbe College got past Te Puke High School 26-25, with both teams banking a bonus point for four tries apiece.

On Sunday, June 24, the next round of the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schoolgirls Sevens competition will continue at the Paengaroa Domain.

The second round of the school girls competition, which is a vital component of the BOPRU women's rugby pathway, will see eight teams compete from throughout the region.

Taupo who play in Bay rugby competitions by invitation have entered a combined team from Taupo Nui A Tia and Tauhara Colleges.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools First Fifteen Rugby Results, June 16.

Division One: John Paul College 27 Otumoetai College 12, Mount Maunganui College 15 Western Heights 14, Bethlehem College 26 Trident HS 25, Opotiki College 27 Taupo Nui A Tia 21.

Division Two: Aquinas College 27 Katikati College 17, Whakatane HS 23 Reporoa College 21, Edgecumbe College 26 Te Puke HS 25, Tauhara College defeated Tauranga BC3 by default.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools Rugby Draw, June 23.

(Home Team Shown First)

Division One: Otumoetai v Opotiki, Bethlehem v Mount Maunganui, Trident v Western Heights, JPC v Taupo Nui A Tia.

Division Two: Whakatane v Aquinas, Katikati v Reporoa, Tauranga BC3 v Te Puke, Tauhara v Edgecumbe.

BOPRU Secondary Schoolgirls Sevens @ Paengaroa Domain Sunday, June 24.

10.30am: Taupo Combined Schools v Kawerau College, Te Puke HS V Otumoetai College

10.50: Rotorua GHS v BOP Invitation, Opotiki College v Trident HS

11.10: Taupo Schools v Otumoetai College, Te Puke HS v Kawerau College

11.30: Rotorua GHS v Trident HS, Opotiki College v BOP Invitation

11.50: Women's Exhibition Game

12.10pm: Taupo Schools v BOP Invitation, Te Puke HS v Trident HS

12.30: Rotorua GHS v Kawerau College, Opotiki College v Otumoetai College

12.50: Taupo Schools v Trident HS, Te Puke HS v BOP Invitation

1.10: Rotorua GHS v Otumoetai College, Opotiki College v Kawerau College

1.30: Women's Exhibition Game