The future of rugby at Southland Boys' High School looks in good shape after an impressive showing by the school's year 7 and 8 team at a South Island intermediate tournament.

The Baby Blues, as the team is known, were runaway winners of the tournament.

They dominated in pool play, beating Shirley Boys' 82-5, Christchurch South 71-0 and Heaton 10-0.

A second win over Christchurch South on day two, by 69-0, set the team up for a semifinal against Chisnallwood, which turned out to be a very physical encounter.

SBHS came away with a 14-3 win from that game to book a place in the final against Ashburton Intermediate.

An outstanding performance saw the team build on a 7-0 lead at halftime to win 14-0.

The Boys' High side scored 260 points during the tournament and conceded only eight, with Kaleb Talamahina's eight tries the most for the tournament and Ben Pope enjoying a successful series with the boot.

Prop and skipper Hori Elers was an impressive player for Boys' High throughout.

Beyond the big scores and a tournament title which had proved elusive for the school at the South Island tournament, was the fact that the Baby Blues were also awarded the fair play title for their graciousness in victory and the way they presented themselves throughout.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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