Avarua, Avatea all class

Avarua and Avatea Schools were the big winners at the Primary School Rippa Rugby Tournament held at Raemaru Park last week.

More than 600 students from throughout the island played their hearts out in front of proud parents and teachers at the event hosted by Apii Rutaki.

An increase in numbers was down to a change in format that allowed for younger schools – such as Apii Rutaki – to participate and compete well against bigger schools.

Avarua School and Avatea School were evenly split two apiece in the four finals between the two teams, a sign of the fascinating rivalry between two of the biggest schools on the island.

Avatea School secured the boys A grade, boys C grade, girls C grade and mixed C grade titles, while Avarua School won the girls A grade, girls B grade, boys B grade and the mixed B grade competitions.

People more interested in netball were treated to some classy displays at the Arorangi courts, where the classy Nukutere School took out the A-grade final against Avarua.

Normality resumed in the B grade and C grade netball finals, which were both won by Avarua.

Full rippa results – A boys-1st Avatea, 2nd Te Uki Ou, B boys-1st Avarua, 2nd Takitumu, C boys-1st Avatea 2, 2nd Avarua, A girls-1st Avarua 2, 2nd Avatea, B girls-1st Avarua, 2nd Avatea, C girls-1st Avatea, 2nd Avarua, B mixed-1st Avarua, 2nd St Joseph’s, C mixed-1st Avatea, 2nd Avarua.