Another rippa win for Riverdale
Riverdale School in Palmerston North has won the Manawatu¯ rippa rugby competition for the second year in a row.
There’s no national rippa rugby championships to look forward to, but it’s hard to wipe the smiles from the faces of the Manawatu¯ champions.
Riverdale School won the Manawatu¯ title at the Arena, Palmerston North, last week, beating regular contenders College Street Normal School 7-6 in the final. Kobe Taiaroa dived over on the final hooter to score the winning try.
There were about 30 teams at the tournament and Riverdale didn’t lose a game.
The national championships, which are usually in Wellington, with schools from all over the country, were cancelled this year because of Covid-19.
Micah Reid, 11, and Nate Davis, 11, were two of the victorious team members and were excited to have won.
‘‘It’s been really tough and it’s been a really good rivalry with College Street in the last couple of years,’’ Micah said.
‘‘We’ve got heaps of respect for them.
‘‘It’s always a tough game against them and I always look forward to it.’’
He said after the game it was a mix of emotions and some people were crying with joy.
Nate said they were always humble after awin.
They wished there was a national championship to go to this year.
Teacher and coach Jared Bron said about half the team would be back next year.
There was a focus on making sure girls were coming through.
The team trains three days aweek. Riverdale have won the Manawatu¯ title for the past two years and College Street were regulars at the national finals before that.
Bron runs a Thursday night have-a-go rippa competition for about 200 children.