Another outstanding feature of the game was that for the first time Southland Girl's High was not in the final. The Invercargill secondary school had won the lower South Island competition every year since its inception in 2012. But St Hilda's broke Southland Girl's seven-year winning streak with a 43-24 win earlier in the month.
Girl's High coach, Jamie Livingstone, is thrilled that after bringing the team to the finals three years in a row, they are finally off to the Top Four National Competition in Palmerston North, which is on from September 6th until September 8th. The Barbarians Rugby Club covers flights and accommodation for all four teams and management involved in the competition.
There were a number of standout players in the Girl's High team, including fly-half Mia Cochrane, who kicked eight conversions and scored two trys. But the true star was Jorja Millar, a super speedy Year 11 who has recently transferred from Timaru High.
Millar scored four trys, set up at least three others, and was deservedly awarded Most Valuable Player for Christchurch Girls High. Miller said her ultimate goal is to be in the Black Ferns - playing both Sevens and Fifteens - and said she has been inspired by ex-Girls High and current Black Fern player Grace Brooker.
Most Valuable Player for St Hilda's Collegiate was their scrum-half Eden Carson, who was very nippy around the field and kicked all three of her teams conversions.
Girls High continued their winning streak on Wednesday night with a 108 to 7 thrashing of Darfield in the final of the local UC Cup First Fifteen competition.
