A great weekend of schoolboy rugby we were privileged to attend. Not a lot of games in South Africa due to exams, school holidays and the upcoming youth weeks while New Zealand had some exciting games with one or two surprises in the Top 20 games.
New Zealand:
Auckland Premier 1A - Auckland Grammar is still unbeaten after five rounds after they played Tangaroa College (34-8) who is still looking for their first win of the season. King's College, St Peter's College and Kelston Boys High had easy games and remained in the pack chasing with only one loss in the competition while St Kentigern won 17-0 against De La Salle who has now lost their second game of the season.
Central Nort Island - Whanganui Collegiate still leads the pack while St John's Hastings lost against St Paul's Collegiate (13-24). St John's Hastings lost their first game of the season. Wesley College won against Rathkeale College (73-0) and are third on 12 log points but importantly with one hame in hand. Feilding High also had a good win against St John's Hamilton (60-8).
Crusaders Championship - Nelson College had a massive win against Waimea Combined (90-12), St Bede's College had to work hard against Christ's College (20-15) with the unbeaten St Andrew's who is currently third on the log who is only playing their game against Timaru Boys High today. Christchurch lost their second game of the season against a struggling Shirley Boys High (13-11).
North Harbour 1A - Westlake Boys High is still leading the points table although they lost their first game against Whangarei BHS (5-14) and is 1 point ahead of second-placed Whangarei Boys High. The rest of the chasing pack is falling behind.
Otago - As expected did Southland BHS had an easy day against Otago Combine (69-8) with second-placed King's High having to work a bit harder against St Kevin's College (24-00). Third-placed and unbeaten Otago BHS won against South Otago HS (20-0) with South Otago surprising all with their game on Saturday. South Otago only won one game of four played this season in this competition.
Super 8 - Afr Round 1 it is Hamilton BHS, Rotorua BHS, Palmerston BHS and Napier BHS who is still unbeaten.
Wellington Premiership - Still early days with only three rounds completed in Wellington. St Pat's Town won Aotea College (33-14) who suffered their first loss while Rongotia College won against Hutt International (HIBS) (58-0). Scotts College kept the pressure on the leading pack in beating Kapiti College (41-5).
South Africa:
Central Region - No Games
Eastern Cape - No surprises with Selborne beating a struggling Stirling 91-7, St Andrew's won 39-10 against Queens and Daniël Pienaar beating Pearson 17-8.
KwaZulu Natal - A surprise in the manner that Maritxburg College have beaten Michaelhouse (42-17) while Northwood ended a brilliant season beating Kearsney 20-12 in an exciting match.
NoordVaal - Helpmekaar consolidated their place at the top of the VirSeker Cup win a 50-5 win against Middelburg HTS while Noorheuwel is improving every weekend this team losing 31-32 against a Waterkloof team that is clearly not playing the rugby they are capable of. Middelburg had a good win against Hugenote (Springs) (35-17) while Pretoria Boys High came close but St John's quality just too much for them at the end. St John's won 51-41 in a try fest. St Stithians continued the Johannesburg raid on Pretoria beating St Albans 33-26.
Western Cape - Only two games with the win of Bishops against a brilliant Rondebosch a bit of a "surprise". Bishops winning 36-26 in an exciting game. DF Malan lost to Hugenote (14-20)