For the first time in at least seven years, Ngati Porou East Coast achieved their first victory in the Under 16 Tournament today, defeating Whanganui (who defeated them in the 5/6 consolation play-off last year), by 25 points to 24.

The result means that the “sky-blues” can finish no lower than fourth in Division B of the 2022 Tournament, with a real prospect of finishing third overall, if they can defeat Hawkes Bay Development on Thursday at the NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS).

Meanwhile elsewhere in Division B, Hawkes Bay Development broke a 24 points all half-time dead-lock against Horowhenua-Kapiti to race away in the second-spell to a 41 points to 24 victory, finishing as third place qualifier for Thursday’s Finals Day. The competitors for the Saracens Cup on Thursday (Poverty Bay and Wairarapa Bush) played a non-competition fixtures, with the Division B favourites from Tūranganui-a-Kiwa easing to a comfortable 33 points to nil win.

Poverty Bay in three matches have scored 149 points and only conceded 33.

In Division A action today, Manawatu led Wellington Gold at half-time in the match they will repeat to determine the winner of the Don Broughton Shield in 2022 on Thursday, with Wellington Gold adding 12 points in the second-half to win the match. Thursday’s tussle for the Shield promises to be an epic encounter between two very strong teams. In the other Division A match played today, defending champions, Hawkes Bay fell to their third consecutive narrow loss against Wellington Black, who they will play for third place on Thursday.

Thursday’s matches commence from 9.00am, with the Saracens Cup Final scheduled to kick-off at 10.30am and the Don Broughton Shield Final at 12.00pm.

(Published: 04/10/22)