Press Release 22 July 2010

With the school holidays and the preliminary skirmishes out of the way, the BOP Polytechnic Secondary Schools first fifteen competition, gets serious from the resumption of play this Saturday (24 July 2010).

Western Heights High School, who have a proud record in Bay of Plenty and New Zealand Schools rugby over the decades, have laid down the gauntlet to the other Division One contenders in the second round.

Three from three victories, suggest the team coached by Bay of Plenty rugby legend Ron Preston, have championship silverware firmly on their agenda. However this weekend they are likely to receive a real challenge from Reporoa College.

The school from the extremities of the Bay of Plenty, took out the Division Two first round title with an unbeaten record. Their only defeat in the Div One championship round has been provided by John Paul College, who reversed the Div Two final result winning a nail biter 10-7.

Defending champions Opotiki College, have posted two victories and a 10 all draw with Bethlehem College. On Saturday they will take part in an Eastern Bay derby against Trident High School. Bethlehem College face Whakatane High School in the Western Bay, with Te Puke High hosting John Paul College.

Otumoetai College have made a flying start to their Division Two campaign. Over a hundred points in just three encounters, suggest the Western Bay School will be the team to beat in the First Fifteen second echelon competition. In spite of having to travel to the Sulphur City they should prove too strong for Rotorua Lakes.

While Otumoetai sit at the top of the table, Rotorua Boys, Edgecumbe College and Mount Maungnaui are locked in a logjam in the other top four positions.

The key match-up that should break the logjam, is the encounter in the Western Bay between Mount Maunganui and Edgecumbe College. Rotorua Boys should consolidate their position against Katikati College in Katikati.

There will be plenty of interest in Taupo when the two local schools face off. Taupo Nui A Tia who annexed the Div Three first round title could have their hands full with Tauhara College.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Secondary Schools First Fifteen Draw 24 July 2010

(Home Team first)
Division One
Trident HS v Opotiki College, Bethlehem College v Whakatane HS, Western Heights High School v Reporoa, Te Puke HS v John Paul College.
Points Table
Western Heights 13, Opotiki 11, Reporoa 10, JPC 7, Trident 3, Bethlehem 2, Te Puke 1, Whakatane 0.

Division Two
Rotorua Lakes v Otumoetai College, Mount Maunganui v Edgecumbe, Tauhara v Taupo Nui A Tia, Katikati v Rotorua BHS.
Points Table
Otumoetai 14, Rotorua BHS 11, Edgecumbe 10, Mount Maunganui 10, Rotorua Lakes 6, Katikati 4, Taupo Nui A Tia 3, Tauhara 3.

For further information contact:
Mike Rogers BOPRU Operations Manager
DDI 07 927 1316 029 478 4292