Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

The Steamers have finished their whistle stop journey through the 2011 ITM Cup finishing in a highly meritorious third equal place, which is just the third time that the Bay side has finished in the top four since winning the inaugural NPC in 1976.

However, Sideline Sid's attention has been focused on the Steamers of the future as two young groups of players have their day in the sun.

The secondary school finals day last Saturday showcased an amazing array of emerging talent, while the AIMS Games has brought the best primary school rugby sevens players to the Western Bay to battle for national honours.

Senior club rugby this season suggested that the power base of the game lies firmly in the Western Bay, however, the secondary school finals day played at Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke saw the titles shared throughout the Bay of Plenty.

Western Heights High School, which is coached by Bay of Plenty rugby legend Ron Preston, won back to back titles against Otumoetai College, when they came from behind at halftime to win the glamour first XV division one competition.

The Otumoetai XV served it up to the Rotorua School in the first half, however, Western Heights slowly got on top to take out the final stanza 15-9.

Bethlehem College became the only Western Bay side to win a title, winning a battle of attrition 20-7 with Taupo Nui A Tia College, which plays by invitation in the Bay of Plenty competition.

While Rotorua Boys' High School first and second XVs play in the Super Eight Schools competition, they showed their rugby strength with the third XV taking out the division three title and the under-14 side winning the premiership crown.

The finalists in the under-15 premiership received a rare taste of playing before a big crowd when they played the curtain raiser to the Steamers versus Canterbury game last week. Top qualifier Mount Maunganui College faced off against Trident High School. The Eastern Bay School took a 7-3 lead into halftime, before the Mount College came back to hold a 17-7 advantage entering the final quarter. However, three tries in the last ten minutes from Trident resulted in a 24-17 victory.

Opotiki College took a second title back to the Eastern Bay of Plenty, when they won a high scoring second XV against Trident High School 34-19.

The AIMS Games rugby sevens that kicked off on Tuesday has attracted 32 boys' teams and five girls' sides from throughout the country.

It is not hard to see some of the young talent on show at Greerton Park playing top level rugby in eight or 10 year's time.

Well coached, disciplined and wearing their school colours with pride, the top contenders are a sight to behold, as they battle their way to title contention. While everyone is looking at defending titleholders Royal Oak Intermediate, my pick to go all the way is first time entry Point England School.

However, while so much promise for the future has been on display at both the secondary school finals and the AIMS Games, the real challenge facing rugby, is to make sure that the hot young talent is still playing the game in the next decade.

Seeya at the Game.