Third national title for Howick College

Howick College has come away with their third national title in two weeks.

The Howick College Premier Mixed Touch Rugby Team played in the NZ Secondary Schools tournament last Friday through to Sunday at Bruce Pulman Park.

The team finished top of the Greater Auckland Competition earlier this year qualifying for the national tournament where schools from all around the country come to compete for the title.

The mixed team lost the final last year by one try to Paeroa and they were determined to make amends this year.  The team met Paeroa in their pool play and came through with a 9-8 win, a very tight and exciting game.

After three wins on day 1, the mixed team finished top of their pool placing them into the top division and playing for a semi-final on Day 3.

Day 2 saw the team play four games starting at 8am. The team played exciting and well-drilled touch as a team.  
Four wins took the team to a semi- final against Taupo-nui-a-Tia, winners of their region on Sunday morning.  Winning the semi-final 8-3, the team was set to get the title later in the afternoon.  

A very focussed and determined team lead by Captain Chase Pamatatau and coaches George Pamatatau and Mark Hodson had only one goal and that was the gold.

The team played Lincoln College from Christchurch and played a well-executed game of touch rugby completing the weekend with their ninth win, 10-5, and a national title.

The following players were named in the mixed tournament team – Isla Norman-Bell also named MVP female for the mixed section.  Francis Morrison, Nui Andrews and Chase Pamatatau. Chase was also named MVP male for the mixed section.