GOING HARD: Opotiki’s Mana Howe is in the Bay of Plenty team competing the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under 19 tournament in Taupo this week. File photo D3960-137
BAY of Plenty won their opening game of the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under 19 tournament in Taupo yesterday.
After trailing North Harbour 24-10 at halftime, Bay of Plenty surged back and scored a late try to win 39-31.
The Bay team includes Whakatane’s Devon Te Tai and Opotiki players Mana Howe and Ned Fitzgerald. Bay of Plenty are playing in the championship division as the fourth qualifier in the Chiefs division.
They will play Hawke’s Bay on Sunday for a place in the championship final, where teams will contest the Michael Jones Trophy.
If Bay of Plenty beat Hawke’s Bay they will progress to the final on Wednesday, which will be televised live on Sky Sport.
Sixteen teams from around New Zealand are in the tournament with the Graham Mourie Cup up for grabs in the premiership division.
More than 400 players will be in action with the tournament being held in Taupo for the third year since its inception. As well as provincial representative teams there is also a team selected from Heartland Championship provinces.
In the premiership, Canterbury will be looking to make it back-to-back titles after beating Waikato 41-35 in the final last year.
The Championship saw Counties Manukau take out a last gasp 32-28 win over Tasman to claim the Michael Jones Trophy in 2015.
This year’s tournament will feature a member of the Women’s Referees Squad for the first time with Rebecca Mahoney on the roster.