The Secondary School sevens season has exploded on to the scene with some exciting action over the past few weeks. Some of Auckland’s dominant sevens schools took another step forward while we also welcomed new schools to the fold too.

For a recap on the seniors; Click here.

South Auckland’s De La Salle college crowned Boys Under 15 champions yesterday. They emerged from the 18-strong field to claim the title after the final going into overtime.

De La Salle didn’t waste much time in the extra period, scoring out wide with their first possession with the ball to claim a 26-21 victory.

Both De La Salle and MAGS topped their respective pools scoring 138 and 160 points along the way but faced sterner opposition in the semi-final rounds. De La Salle turned away local rivals Otahuhu College 35-7 in the first semi while MAGS followed suit halting a plucky St Peter’s team 22-17 after over time.

Howick College achieved the first Senior / Under 15 Girls sevens double crown after claiming the Under 15 title against rivals Tangaroa College 34-12.

It would be remiss to talk about Under 15 Girls Sevens without mentioning these two schools in the grand final as both have contested each of the Auckland Under 15 Championship finals as well as the Condors last year.

Howick College were in dominant form throughout the day, guided by their coach, ARU Sevens Player of the Year Rocky Khan as they swept all challenges aside scoring 146 points in the process.

Tanagroa College were their usual abrasive selves with a touch of finesse to finish but were no match for Howick College on this day. Tangaroa got through to the Champ semi-finals as the best 2nd place team after pool play and had to get past Aorere College with a late try 19-17.

In the other finals on the day:
•    The Plate Final (5th/6th) went to Kelston Boys Red after edging surprise package Mangere College with a last play try 19-12. Kelston, who’s only lost of the day was to MAGS, battled past St Paul’s College in the semi-final 27-15 while Mangere College snuck in against a fast finishing One Tree Hill College 22-15.
•    The Shield Final (9th/10th) was contested by Kelston Boys Blue and Papatoetoe High School with the westies taking the prize again 15-5. Kelston’s 2nd squad, a fill-in team for a late withdrawal, performed well in pool play before beating southsiders Tangaroa College 17-7 in the semis. Papatoetoe High School arrived courtesy of a semi-final win over the highest ranked East school Pakuranga.
•    The Bowl Final (13th/14th) saw South Auckland’s Aorere College triumph over Mt Roskill Grammar. The Green and Reds had a mixed bag during their pool games before finishing their day on a high with wins over Kia Aroha College 27-0 in the semi before the 17-5 victory on the final. Mt Roskill Grammar’s day mirrored that of their south Auckland counterparts, a few narrow losses that could have gone their way before they got back on track in their semi-final against new comers Green Bay High School 36-5.
•    The Girls Cup (5th/6th) was an all West Auckland affair as Kelston Girl’s High School edged out new comers Green Bay High School 29-26. KGHS were hit with injury woes across the day but got on a run by the end of the day starting with the win in the semi-final vs Southern Cross 19-15. Green Bay High School’s first appearance at the Championships didn’t end how they wanted but showed that they have the potential to produce in the future. Green Bay High got through to the final with after edging an Emma Jensen lead Epsom Girls Grammar 17-15.
•    The Bowl was taken out by Otahuhu College who managed to scrape past the other new comers Lynfield College, who had former student and current Olympian Tyla Nathan -Wong cheering from the sidelines. It was a happy ending after a disappointing day for Otahuhu College as the girls battled through pool play without a win.