Tauranga West's hope of a consecutive Tai Mitchell Rugby Tournament title is off to a solid start with the young squad defeating Opotiki 50-10 in the tournament's opening day yesterday.

Day two is underway today, as 10 Bay of Plenty-wide primary school teams contest for the Tai Mitchell Shield at Rotorua International Stadium.

Tauranga West Tai Mitchell squad members Luca Cashmore, 11, Jack McManaway, 12, Ryan Bosselmann, 12, Thomas Murray-Edwards, 12, and Zane Booth, 12. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Defending champions Tauranga West are hoping to retain the shield, and are looking solid with four preseason wins.

With only two returning players from the 2013 success, coach Atirau Ohia says the side's new additions are 'really putting their hands up”.

'It's a full on tournament but the players do put a lot of work in and you prepare them as best as you can; but it's a tough tournament."

But Ohia knows the remaining teams will be aiming to knock them off their perch early on.

If yesterday's score is anything to do by, they have their work cut out for them.

The tournament kicked off in grand style Friday morning, with five matches getting underway.

Tauranga West player Darcy Hoskin's father Josh was there to record the action for SunLive:

Day one:

Tauranga East threw down the gauntlet with a 52-0 win over Rotorua Gold.

The winning side, through constant attacks on the blindside and the use of their strong running No 8 Melino Fotu, proved too strong for a blown-away Gold squad.

Tauranga West achieved their solid 50-10 win against a plucky Opotiki team.

But while the win conjures up thoughts of an easy road to victory, West struggled at times for continuity.

After coming out with two early tries in the middle of the first half, they had to scrap for quality ball. At the back end of the half, West found some quick ball and headed to the break 31–5 up.

The second half much like the first, Opotiki never gave in.

Standouts for West were hard running lock Taiwhanaki Waka-Peters and ever present No. 8 Thomas Murray-Edwards.

The tournament, for boys up to Year 8, dates back to 1938.

The original Tai Mitchell Shield was presented by Henry Taiporutu Mitchell, a renowned Rotorua sports administrator and a supporter of all codes.

Anyone can watch the action at Rotorua International Stadium from July 4-9.

Results from day one:

Rotorua Maroon 85 vs Apanui 5, Whakatane 48 vs Te Puke 17, Tga East 52 vs Rotorua Gold 0, Tga West 50 vs Opotiki 10, Rangitaiki 32 vs Galatea 5.