Orewa turned the tables on Rosmini with a 20-12 home win to jump two schools on the standings into the top four with some help from Rangitoto who equally trumped Massey in a close and exciting 21-18 win out west. Orewa secured an early 14-0 lead from two converted tries in the 1st half and played well to keep Rosmini at bay with two well taken penalties and great defence to earn a championship semi-final. Takapuna hosted Whangarei for a 22-14 win to consign Whangarei to the bottom four for the semi-finals. Westlake predictably thumped Birkenhead 76-6. So two mouth-watering championship semi-finals are set up for next Saturday 11 August with the two top schools well out in front on the table (Westlake 63 and Takapuna 60), Rosmini a distant third on 38 points and next three schools had battled for that elusive 4th spot over the past few weeks with Orewa finishing on 29, Massey on 28 and Whangarei on 27 competition points. Consistently strong Westlake is hosting surprise package Orewa and Takapuna will play Rosmini at home. Given the results to date the top dogs should take the win for a place in the 16 August final as curtain-raised to the opening Mitre 10 Cup fixture vs Northland, but Orewa in its first foray into the finals for several years will have other ideas and the young Rosmini side will be looking to edge neighbours Takapuna who have played very well in 2018. The Plate semi-finals will see Massey host Birkenhead and Whangarei take on much improved Rangitoto at home.
Photographs by John Rau
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