On Wednesday 30th June a group of 72 students and 8 staff members journeyed up SH3, took a left at Hawera along SH45 to join Opunake High School in the annual sporting and cultural exchange.

It was a tough battle this year.  Opunake High School took a 3-2 overall lead into the second day, having won the hockey (for an incredible 53rd time straight) 4-0, girls basketball 23-85, and the debate. Manawatu College won the First XV Rugby match 34-19 and the Senior A Netball game 29-27.

A quiz night was held during the evening of day one as a chance for both schools to mingle.  Competitors had to form teams from both schools and as many sports as possible.

Neither school was sure how day two would unfold.  It was soon clear that Manawatu College had the edge in girls rugby, winning 12-27, which made it 3-3 overall.  Luckily for Opunake High School the soccer boys won 8-0 and the basketball boys had it covered, defeating Manawatu College 102-28.   Opunake High School's volleyball girls fought back from 2 sets down, to win 3-2 in the fifth set.

Congratulations to Opunake High School,  who won the overall exchange 6-3.

Thank you very much to Opunake and Manawatu College staff,  who make the exchange possible.  Lastly thanks to all the competitors, you played with tremendous spirit and mana, without you there would be no exchange.

See you in Foxton in 2019!