Bay boys claim North Island championship

WINNING WAY: The Bay College team in action on their way to claiming the North Island AFL championship in Auckland last week. PICTURE/SUPPLIED

Bay of Islands College senior boys took out the North Island AFL Secondary Schools championship in Auckland earlier this month.

The title - in the sport known more commonly as Aussie Rules - was secured following a 63-50 win over Southern Cross on Saturday, April 9. In his report from the event, the coach of the BOIC senior boys team, Dave Scott, said the lead went back and forth for most of the match, but his side went into half time holding a slim 33-31 lead before opening up a 14-point buffer heading into the final quarter.

Earlier in the day, the Far North students handed one of New Zealand's top secondary schools AFL (Australian Football League) sides their first loss in over two years after beating St Pauls 49-46. Bay College held a 13-12 lead in the first quarter, thanks to Max Stuart scoring two very quick goals in succession in the first three minutes, fell behind 37-22 at halftime, then slowed the game with accurate short catches (marks) and set up simple shots at goal to get back into the game. Scott paid credit to a massive defensive effort which restricted St Paul's to only two points in the third quarter whilst playing catch up trail 39-36. Bay College took the lead in the final quarter only to have St Paul's reply three minutes later before Jarred Hill scored the winning goal with less than two minutes left on the clock.

Scott was proud of the side's effort and composure against teams that were bigger and perhaps a bit quicker. He noted the boys rose to the challenge and simply played better AFL, with Hill named the player of the day for his high work-rate and reliable hands in taking the mark and kicking at goal, while classmate Ben Armstrong was named player of the tournament for demonstrating both vision and calmness under pressure.

The senior boys team qualified for the North Island tournament by beating Whangarei Boys 49-48 in the Northland secondary schools championship earlier this year.

While still considered a minor sport in Northland, and with the North Island Championship regarded a relatively new championship, Scott noted Aussie Rules has become a strong and popular pastime at the Kawakawa college.

"Bay College is fortunate to have Ben, Max Stuart and Southen Smith all playing in the NZ AFL Premiership in Auckland most weekend over the summer months and the three boys will definitely get a look in for national under-18 team in the next week or two to take on Australian touring sides as well as travelling to Australia for a tour as well."