Unbeaten runs in rippa rugby

Tawa Intermediate sure know a thing or two about rippa rugby.

The school’s girls’ and boys’ teams cleaned up in a tournament at Hutt Recreation last Wednesday, both going through unbeaten.

Eight girls’ and 12 boys’ teams took part from across the greater Wellington region.

The Tawa Intermediate boys beat their Hutt Intermediate opponents 32-12 in the final, after being behind 12-4 at halftime. Tawa Intermediate scored in the dying minutes to take it to extra time, where they romped home with four tries.

‘‘We used our speed more than our strength,’’ coach Robbie MacKenzie said.

Second row player Afa Afa, 12, said after losing in the semifinals in last year’s tournament, they knew they would have to work hard to win this time.

‘‘It was good. We played as a team,’’ Afa said.

The defending champion Tawa Intermediate girls team headed off Wainuiomata Intermediate 3-2 in their final, despite only one member participating in regular rugby.

Team captain Eden Webster, 13, thought they did well despite many refereeing calls not going their way.

The girls’ coach Meyer Goosen said the weekly training paid off. While he knew the team would do well, he didn’t expect to go through unbeaten.

‘‘They played really well – I’m very proud of them. Those Wainui girls were hard.’’

The school is now looking towards next month’s Aims Games in Tauranga. It is sending a boy’s sevens team for the first time.