It what has been a stop-start year for Auckland Secondary School Rugby. This year’s Auckland Rugby Secondary School Sevens tournaments were anything but. With two exciting days of fast passed rugby, it led to several tight standings after pool play. However, the biggest achievement was a joint effort in which we saw yet another increase in playing teams.

Howick do the double!

Open Grade:

The 2020 tournament was held at Waitemata RFC with 11 girls teams to go along with 20 boys teams. Kelston ended up being winners on what was a long hot day for all teams. Kelston finished top of their pool and managed to get through their quarter-final against Southern Cross comfortably. Their game of the day was against a tough and physical St Peters side which they managed to put away 41-5 before meeting Mt Albert Grammar in the final. However, due to injuries, Mt Albert Grammar had to withdraw from the Final, and Kelston were crowned champions.

In the Girls tournament, it was the ‘East Factory’ of Howick that were the stars of the day for both grades. They played an exciting brand of rugby under head coach, Waisake Sotutu and went through the whole day with only five points scored against them. They met their pool rivals, Auckland Girls Grammar in the final after beating Southern Cross in their semi-final. Unfortunately for Auckland Girls it was one-way traffic in the final with Howick running out winners 40-0.

Open Teams Qualifying for Condors:

Under 15 Grade:

The Under 15s tournament was moved to Avondale Racecourse to accommodate the influx of teams. With 22 boys teams battling it out for the Auckland Rugby Secondary Schools U15 Boys Trophy.

Kelston Boys High School were looking to do the double having won the Open Grade title a week before. However, De La Salle had other ideas in what was the game of the day. The lead changed several times, but a passionate De La Salle side managed to score twice late in the game to seal the victory.

In the Girls Under 15 grade, Howick were looking to do what Kelston couldn’t and make it two from two in consecutive weeks. This year’s tournament saw many close results, One Tree Hill dispatched traditional powerhouse Auckland Girls Grammar in their Semi-Final to set up an electric Final against the south-east girl’s ‘Rugby Factory’, Howick College. The Final proved to be one game too far for One Tree Hill. Howick being able to be the girls sevens champions in both the Open and Under 15 grades after dispatching One Tree Hill 24-14.

A huge thank you goes out to the team at Waitemata and the Auckland City Council for hosting both events.