Press Release 28 July 2010

Western Heights High School continued their unbeaten run, in the BOP Polytechnic Secondary Schools first fifteen competition last Saturday (24 July 2010) when they hosted Reporoa College.

The top echelon match-up was far from one-way traffic with Western Heights finally taking out the match 35-20. While the visitors forwards took the contest to the Rotorua school, a classy back line display from Western Heights saw then run in five tries to continue their unbeaten Division One championship record.

Three Western Heights tries were awarded to the outside back combination of Joshua Walker, Keehan Korau and Tamihana Curtis, with prop Ben Vallaliant and flanker Tom Logan grabbing a touchdown apiece.

The Reporoa points came from tries awarded to Sam McDell, Rico Flavell and Ben Mason, with Logan Curry kicking a penalty and a conversion. Reporoa coach Steve Axtens said that while his forwards played with authority, the winning of the game came from the classy Western Heights backline.

Western Heights team management singled out a great defensive effort from Josh Walker, when there team line was under pressure in the last ten minutes. Also mentioned in despatches, were the outstanding play of open side flanker Tom Logan, and the leadership displayed by Jordan Poi at halfback.

One game that went down to the wire, was the match-up in Te Puke between the home side and John Paul College. While both sides ran in three tries apiece, the difference was the penalty goal kicked by JPC, who finally sneaked home 18-15. For the winners Matt Hansen, Curtis Deane and Daniel Kutcher crossed for touchdowns

The Eastern Bay derby turned into high scoring affair with a multitude of tries. Defending Div One champions Opotiki eventually prevailed defeating Trident High School 41-29. Bethlehem College posted their first championship victory overrunning Whakatane High School 41 nil in the Western Bay of Plenty.

In Division Two competition leader Otumoetai College remained unbeaten, when they got past Rotorua Lakes 43-15. Mount Maunganui College also continued their unbeaten run posting a solid 44-10 victory against Edgecumbe College, with Rotorua Boys getting past Katikati 22-5.

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

Division One
Western Heights HS 35 (Joshua Walker, Keehan Korau, Tamihana Curtis, Ben Levalliant, Tom Logan tries; Jordan Poi 5 pens) Reporoa 20 (Sam McDell, Rico Flavell, Ben Mason tries; Logan Curry pen con)
John Paul College 18 (Matt Hansen, Curtis Deane, Daniel Kutcher tries; pen) Te Puke HS 15
Opotiki 41 Trident HS 29, Bethlehem 41 Whakatane HS 0

Division Two
Otumoetai 43 Rotorua Lakes 15, Mount Maunganui 44 Edgecumbe 10, Rotorua BHS 22 Katikati 5.

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