KEY POINTS:
Runs galore were scored as batsmen cashed in on the first real hint that summer had finally arrived, in Auckland and Waikato on Saturday.
The outstanding display came at Hamilton BHS where their Development XI smashed their way to 420/8 in 50 overs in batting first against Te Aroha College.
With Harry Corkill's 128 and a useful 80 from Matthew Missen, the home side were always in control. Jared Sun and Matthew Turton chipped in with 39 each as HBHS posted their imposing total. Rowan Livingstone stuck manfully to the task with the ball to claim four wickets.
In reply Te Aroha managed just 155 as Taylor Cullen picked up 5-18 and Matthew Rees-Gibbs 3-18. Only Daniel Frischknecht (46) and Jatinder Singh (39) offered any resistance.
There were centuries elsewhere, with Todd Arnold scoring 117 in Morrinsville College's 215 batting first against local rivals Matamata College, and Nikhil Vishwanath scoring 101 not out for Hamilton BHS Emerging against Hillcrest HS.
Arnold's maiden century provided the backbone of Morrinsville's innings. But for his effort, and a handy 87-run partnership with Kerry Burt (26), they would have struggled to post a decent score.
Only captain Mitchell Green (47) showed anything as Matamata were dismissed 100 runs short in their chase. Arnold completed a good day by taking 3-12.
At 2/7, HBHS Emerging XI were ruing their decision to bat first. Not for long though. A third-wicket partnership of 139 between Vishwanath and Ryan Thomson (57) turned the innings around. Following Thomson's departure, Harrison Bolli (71 not out) joined Vishwanath and they added another 130 as the home team posted 276.
After a bright start, the Hillcrest innings fell away in the face of some tight bowling as Ryan Herbert snared 5-34. Some lusty hitting from William Kokaua (85) gave the visitors hope.
There were half centuries for Cambridge's Jono Feast (59) and Cameron Smith (60) for St John's College in the closest match of the round.
Batting first after winning the toss, Cambridge reached 195/7 after losing two early wickets. Feast and Shane Butcher (47) put on 62 for the third wicket. Lower in the order, Andrew George whacked a quick 25 not out.
St John's, too, lost an early wicket before Smith and Jude Cooper (27) added 90 for the second wicket to lay the foundation for what proved a winning charge. They eventually reached their target with five wickets and almost two overs in hand.
At the other end of the spectrum, Fraser HS were skittled for just 57 by St Peter's School.
After winning the toss and somewhat surprisingly electing to bat on a new and well-grassed pitch. They were quickly bundled out with Ross Fitz-John the best bowler with 3-12.
With no pressure, St Peter's raced to 60/0 with Jarrod Mongston (22) and Kurt James (21) and 17 extras getting the runs as they retained the Dave Hoskin Trophy.
In an interesting aside, New Zealand women's international Nicola Browne was given special dispensation to play for Fraser. She batted at four (scoring 8) before falling to a brilliant Matthew Kilgour catch. Browne then looked lively in sharing the new ball with Trent Salvatierra.
A century was also scored on the first day of the fourth round of the Auckland 1A two-day championship, as David Goddard reached 100 not out for AGS as they posted an imposing 330/8 declared at home against Macleans College.
He was the major contributor in two lower-order partnerships with Hugo McChesney (83) and Matt Wouldes (50). In reply, Macleans were struggling at 45/4.
Sacred Heart batted throughout the day to reach 244/9 against WBHS at Sacred Heart, with James Partridge leading the way with 87 after Henry Blackwell (42) and Scott Ellison (35) shared an opening partnership of 70.
St Kentigern hold the upper hand over Rangitoto College.
Jono Hickey and Trent Cooper took seven wickets between them in dismissing Rangitoto for 156. At stumps St Kentigern were handily placed at 99/3 in reply.
WATER POLO
More than 50 teams will be in Auckland tomorrow for the start of the four-day North Island junior championships.
Westlake BHS will defend their title, with last year's runners-up Rangitoto again expected to challenge in Sunday's final at the West Wave Aquatic Centre. MAGS, who finished third, will be looking to go one or more places better.
Rangitoto beat Diocesan in the girl's final a year ago. Both schools will be back, but Massey HS, third in 2007, will be missing.
Pool matches will be held at Sacred Heart, EGGS and West Wave with 167 matches to be played before the medals are handed out.
TENNIS
Hit by exam commitments which left them without their top two players, New Zealand champions St Cuthberts came up short in the senior girls championship as the Auckland grand finals were decided on Saturday.
Making the most of their opportunity, Rangitoto College, upset St Cuthberts 7-2. In the play-off for third St Kentigern beat MAGS 6-3.
St Cuthberts also lost the intermediate girls final 8-1 to Baradene but had success in the junior girls when they took that title by default from Baradene and their second team beat St Kentigern 5-4 for third.
In a spirited contest for the senior boys title, underdogs MAGS pushed WBHS all the way before losing 5-4.
The other boys titles were won by St Kentigern, who edged Kings in another 5-4 thriller for the intermediate championship, and AGS with a 7-2 win over Sacred Heart for the junior.
TOUCH
Orewa College wasted no time in showing they are in no hurry to surrender the Bentley Cup.
The coveted trophy is contested on a challenge basis, with Papakura HS the first cab off the rank. Ahead after just four minutes, Orewa, led by recognised representative player and Junior Warrior Shaun Johnson, raced to 8-0 by halftime and went on to win 15-1.
The only consolation for the Dion Stevens-led Papakura side was Poirani Tua's 34th minute touchdown.
For the captains of prospective challengers Mahurangi, St Kentigern, St Peters and Wesley who watched from the sideline, it was impressive stuff from Orewa who have their sights set on next month's national championships in Palmerston North.
Orewa defend the cup on Saturday at Mahurangi College.
WAKA AMA
There will be plenty of frantic paddling at the Orakei Basin on Saturday as 65 teams from 18 schools race in the 11th annual Auckland SS junior regatta.
Teams of six work together as they race over distances from 500m, 2500m to Marathon races of 30-75km. The ama (outrigger) on the left-hand side balances the waka (canoe), helping it to speed through the water with each stroke of the paddlers.
Saturday's racing will be straight sprints of about 300m.
After a karakia (prayer) at 8:30am, the first of approximately 70 races will start at 8:45am.
* www.asbcollegesport.co.nz
