Trident High School senior girls were the best performing Eastern Bay side at the recent New Zealand Secondary School Touch Championships in Rotorua.

The December 6 to 8 tournament featured 107 teams from across New Zealand in three different grades, including two from the Coast.

Trident finished sixth of 16 girls teams while in the mixed grade, which featured 43 teams, Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparaoa, at their first national champs, finished 29^th.

A young Whakatane High School outfit placed 37th and Te Kura o Te Whānau ā Apanui, also attending their first nationals, were 42^nd.

Trident recorded victories over Hamilton Girls’ High School Gold 7-3, a hotly contested 4-3 win over Rotorua Girls’ High School and then an 8-3 hammering of Epsom Girls’ High from Auckland to round out pool play.

In the crossover section, they faced New Plymouth Girls’ first and came away with a strong 7-3 win, before falling 6-3 to eventual champions Hamilton Girls’ High School Premier in what was a tight contest. It was 1-all at halftime, before two quick Hamilton tries in the second half, broke the game open. Their final crossover clash was against Tauranga Girls’ College and was one the players wanted to win as there were plenty of Bay of Plenty representatives on both sides.

Trident took the spoils, 11-6, to secure a clash against Dunedin’s Columba College.

However, the southern school were too strong, winning 5-1 and ending Trident’s hopes of a top four spot.

Trident rebounded in style to defeat Nga Taiatea Wharekura 7-5 to earn them a clash with St Kentigern’s College for fifth place.

It was a hard-fought battle but Trident fell to a 4-2 defeat to end up sixth, a spot higher than last year.

They can be proud of their efforts as they were the best performing Bay of Plenty school across the three grades.

Hunter-Lily Takiari was named Rising Star, Syniva Bryce as Player’s Player and Jayd Hunia as Most Valuable Player for Trident.

Trident coaches Rahera Rauwhero-Stainton and Campbell Maunsell are proud of their team and the effort they produced throughout the week.

"We are stoked with how we went at nationals. One place better than last year is a great achievement, but even better, we seen so much growth in every player in our team. Our junior players stepped up and stamped their mark on the national stage. Our seniors showed their skill and experience throughout the tournament, being resilient and leading the way when our backs were against the wall," Rauwhero-Stainton said.

She said the entire three days were full of amazing memories.

"There were so many highlights from the tournament, it's hard to pick one. I think the messages that we get after the tournament from parents and whānau , even the touch community at home, congratulating us on how well we done and how far we’ve come these past three months. It shows the girls that their hard mahi is noticed, and it's more important than a placing at a tournament. It proves their dedication, commitment, and resilience to the team."

Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparaoa picked up a well-earned 5-4 win over Fraser High School in their first match, before drawing 6-all with Rolleston College in their second. Next up was Hutt Valley High School and that ended in a 5-all draw before they fell to a 6-2 loss to James Cook High School in their final match, which, if they won, would have seen them in the top half of the draw.

In their quarterfinal, they faced Morrinsville College and went down 7-6.

Their final two matches were against Mount Maunganui College and Naenae College, both of which they won 6-5 and 7-5.

It was tough going for Te Kura o Te Whānau ā Apanui in pool play as they lost all five of their matches, but they refused to give up and fought valiantly until the final whistle in every game.

After a 4-2 defeat against Massey High School, Te Whānau ā Apanui scored a win with an 8-3 battering of Western Heights High School in their next match and then in a replay against Massey High, lost 7–5.

Whakatāne High School lost to Waimea College, Papamoa College and Lincoln High School in pool play while also drawing with Massey High School and Thames High School.

In post section play, they suffered a close 4-3 loss to Selwyn College, before rebounding with a 6-0 win over Te Aroha College.

Next up it was Taupo-Nui-a-Tia College, and they bagged a 6-5 win.

The future looks bright for the Eastern Bay teams as many of the players will be returning in 2025.