Touch teams show prowess in Rotorua

Touch teams from Marlborough’s biggest colleges made their presence felt at the national secondary schools champs in Rotorua from Friday until Sunday.

Taking on the best the country could offer in the boys’ and girls’ grades, the Marlborough Girls’ College side came away with a 5-3 winning record, while Marlborough Boys’ College won four times, including victories against traditionally-strong North Island schools, and lost five, including two by a single point.

MGC ended up 13

th

overall, having narrowly missed qualifying for the top echelon after the first three games. It was the first time for many years MGC had travelled to the national champs.

Eleri James-Sitters, one of the more-experienced MGC players, said the side was “very competitive” in all their matches.

“We gave all our opponents a good run for their money … and the team had a great spirit all the way through.”

MBC finished 16

th

overall – also narrowly missing a spot in the top 10.

MGC

v Rotorua L 4-3; v Columba L 6-4; v Rangi Ruru W 5-3; v Botany Downs W 7-0; v Northland W 9-1; v Riccarton W 10-4; v Whangarei L 6-3; v Riccarton W 7-1 (play-off for 13

th

and 14

th)

. Overall 13

th

MBC

v New Plymouth W 10-8; v John McGlashan L 7-6; v Rotorua L 12-7; v Hato Paora W 8-4; v Christchurch BHS L 8-7; v Auckland Grammar L 10-6; v Tauranga W 9-8; v Hutt International W 11-4; v New Plymouth L 9-5 (play-off for 15

th

and 16

th

). Overall 16th