Tai Mitchell upset for Rotorua | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

Rotorua's young rugby hopefuls were looking to turn the tables this weekend after a shaky start at this year's Tai Mitchell tournament.

Both Rotorua Maroon and Rotorua Gold suffered defeat in their first round of matches in the annual Bay of Plenty Tai Mitchell Primary Schools Tournament.

Maroon went down 24-12 to Tauranga East, while Gold suffered a 60-0 defeat at the hands of Galatea, whose sub-union is hosting the six-day tournament at Rangitahi College in Murupara.

The first round kicked off yesterday with last year's victors Tauranga West getting early points on the board. They beat Whakatane 26 points to 14. They are joined on four points by Te Puke, who hammered Awapuni 134 points to nil, and Opotiki, who beat Rangitaiki 19-12.

Maroon coach Wayne Fell said they hoped today's game would be handled a lot better, despite their drawing defending champions Tauranga West.

At half time against Tauranga East they were 19-0 down.

"We were a bit shell-shocked in the first 20 minutes," Fell said.

"Some of our team are pretty young and didn't expect that to come at them but our reserves came on the field and did particularly well for us in the second half.

"If they can start against West how they finished it will be a lot better but it will still be a tough game."

Jordan Tagoai scored a stand-out try into the corner. Fell said he backed himself and with quick hands and a little bit of space, was able to bag five points for Maroon.

 With four more games to go until Tuesday's semifinals the tournament is still open.

Gold coach Greg Stewart said having a weigh-in just before the tournament start meant they lost three of their players due to being over the 53kg limit.

Results -

Round 1: Opotiki 19 Rangitaiki 12, Awapuni 0 Te Puke 134, Tauranga West 26 Whakatane 12, Tauranga East 24 Rotorua Maroon 12, Galatea 60 Rotorua Gold 0.