College Sport: MAGS star single handedly dismisses AGS

Joshua Gagamoe, eventual winner Freedom Vahakolo and Kilian Segers put everything they've got into the 80m junior boys hurdles final. Photo / Richard Robinson

The Auckland Grammar 1st XI cricketers were happy to see the back of Teja Nidamanuru by stumps on Saturday.

In an amazing performance in their premier two-day championship match at AGS, the 16-year-old Mt Albert Grammar medium-pacer turned off-spinner bagged all 10 AGS wickets for 57.

Included in his incredible 31.5 overs were 17 maidens as he single-handedly dismissed the AGS batsmen as they compiled what might yet prove a winning 224.

AGS coach Jamie Lloyd, in awe, summed it up: "Teja's bowling was remarkable and to take 10 wickets in an innings in secondary school cricket was not an achievement I expected to see in my lifetime."

It was the second time in three days Nidamanuru had been the bane of the Auckland Grammar 1st XI. In the Gillette Cup quarter-final he scored 98 and bagged four wickets for a MAGS win.

MAGS coach Tony Sail said his young charge is "a huge talent and a real athlete".

Nidamanuru, who was born in India but has lived in New Zealand for 12 years, posted the best figures by a MAGS bowler since Ken McMillan bagged 9-27 (also against AGS) in 1960.

"As a junior Teja used to bowl medium-pace but I have turned him into an off-spinner," said Sail.

"He is one of the hardest working cricketers in Auckland. He got a Frank Grattan scholarship which enables him to work with Matt Horne at the indoor school at Eden Park. There is hardly a morning he is not working out before school."

Sail has also switched his batting talents from the top order to around six or seven where he has proved more than useful. The 98 he scored was his best yet. The century remains elusive. Should he manage it on the second day of the second round match on Saturday he may well play a winning hand again.

Or perhaps in today's Gillette Cup semifinal at Cornwall Park.

With their home ground undergoing a 10-year renovation, MAGS have played their home games on an excellent Onehunga High School ground and pitch.

Sail is keen for the roll to continue.

"We have lost only once all season," said Sail. "That was by six runs to AGS in a one-day game and in the end we missed a place in the one-day final by just .75 of a run."

ATHLETICS

World Youth Championships-bound Joshua Hawkins was the toast of the Sacred Heart team at the Greater Auckland Championships at Mt Smart on Monday.

While blustery conditions prevailed, keeping records intact, Hawkins made the most of his opportunities to win the senior boys' 100m in 11.21 seconds.

Hawkins, who recently qualified to compete in France this year, also won the 110m hurdles in 14.84s.

To cap off a good day, Hawkins ran a sensational final leg of the 4x100m relay to snatch a come-from-behind victory.

Fellow Sacred Heart student Dalton Coppins won the intermediate 200m final in a smart 22.67s. He is close to qualifying for the World Youth Championships.

The new-look championships brought together schools from across the city in a throwback to the old days when the champion of champions meeting attracted huge crowds to Eden Park. In recent years schools have competed in five separate zones.

Former convener of the national selection panel Dave Norris was impressed with many performances, none more than one from senior girls 400m winner Alisha Lovrich.

"Alisha won the 400m in 59.95s and ran a sizzling leg of the relay," said Norris.

"Baradene ended up winning the 4x400m relay, largely because of an outstanding leg from her."

In the field, Richard Callister was exceptional, throwing an impressive 52.48m to win the intermediate boys' discus - a whopping 8.79m ahead of his closest rival.

Norris identified Callister as another potential qualifier for the World Youth Champs.

It was Mere Vaka, however, who produced possibly the most noteworthy performances of the day.

Not only did the uncanny Alfriston College representative win the intermediate girls' shot put and discus with throws of 13.76m and 46.49m respectively, she went on to win the 100m final with a time of 13.14s.

"She's getting a reputation for being an extraordinary sprinter-cum-shot putter," said Norris. "That's a pretty rare double."

The focus for many of the athletes now turns to the North Island Championships on April 2-3 at Hamilton's Porritt Stadium.

Nathan Calis

CRICKET

Auckland

After spinning his team into a commanding position over old rivals Auckland Grammar, MAGS allrounder Teja Nidamanuru will be hoping to produce the goods with the bat if his team is to overhaul the first innings 224 scored by the home side on the opening day of their second round two-day championship match.

Batting first, AGS started solidly, with all of the top order getting starts. Sam Crooks and Shikar Chaturvedi were the top scorers, scoring 46 and 35 respectively before Nidamanuru had his say. Despite his mind-blowing 10-wicket haul, the home side finished in the stronger position after posting 224 and then claiming three MAGS wickets late in the day as they reached just 39.

After a two-hour delay after overnight rain, St Kentigern were sent into bat by Westlake Boys High School and prospered on a flat pitch.

Most of the bowlers toiled but inconsistency coupled with a couple of dropped catches counted against the Westlake attack.

Their early endeavours had them strongly placed as St Kentigern reached 60/3 but with the next wicket not falling for another 110 runs, the home side were well-placed at 248/6, with Reve Anstis unbeaten on 11. He was well-supported by Harry Lyford (53) and Nick Kelly (35). With further overs still at their disposal on the second day, St Kentigern will be looking to hammer home their advantage.

Continuing where they left off against Sacred Heart in their Gillette Cup quarter-final midweek, Kings, after winning the toss and opting to field, were soon dominating.

A burst of three successive wicket-maiden overs underlined the home team's ascendancy as Harrison Nash with 3-14 and Michael Haddleton with 3-16 destroyed the Sacred Heart batting which managed just 76.

Run machine Ben Horne again showed his class piling on 71 but he was upstaged by skipper Simon Hickey with 73 as Kings declared at 177/3. They added further misery for the visitors by claiming an early second innings wicket.

In plate action, and after losing the first session because of overnight rain, Rangitoto, led by an unbeaten 60 from Nick Allen, reached 163/6 and with further overs to bat on the second day will be looking to set Avondale a challenging total.

Rosmini batted the whole day against KBHS to post an imposing 271/9 on the back of a fantastic knock of 110 from Connor Ridge.

It was a vastly different story in the remaining plate affair with 20 wickets falling on the first day as St Peter's claimed first innings points from Macleans.

Macleans were bowled out for only 122 with opening bowler Michael Devilliers the only batsman showing any resistance in reaching 31 not out as Cameron Insull bagged 3-15.

Insull then scored 53 with the bat and that, coupled with George Hanham's 55, meant St Peter's powered to an 82-run lead despite Maclean's skipper David Winn's best efforts in picking up 5-78.

Waikato

The coveted Dave Hoskin Trophy is back at St Peter's School after they scored a comfortable 64-run win over St Paul's Collegiate in their round seven one-day match.

Batting first at the superb St Paul's venue, St Peter's were soon in trouble, losing both openers with only 11 runs in the book. At 41/3 in the 11th over, the visitors were in need of a solid partnership. Answering that call, Tim Seifert (74) and Shayde Perham (51) added a smart 107 but when wickets fell as they reached 165/7, St Peter's were teetering. Mathew Joubert (32) batted well with the lower order to ensure St Peter's batted out their 50 overs.

In reply St Paul's began strongly, reaching 49/1 from the opening 10 overs.

But the remaining nine wickets added just 108 runs - their eventual 157 was more than 60 runs shy of the target.

This sets up an interesting final round of competition. St Peter's will have to win at St John's and rely on Cambridge to beat St Paul's to stand a chance of making the final.

Cambridge High are already guaranteed their place in the final after winning their scheduled game with Morrinsville by default.

In a minor surprise Matamata College, led by an aggressive unbeaten century by their wicket-keeper batsman Ciaran O'Malley, beat St John's College by seven wickets.

Batting first, St Johns, aided by some woeful Matamata fielding which put down eight catches, reached a reasonable 180.

O'Malley opened the innings for the first time and set out to dominate, hitting the ball cleanly and straight to anchor the run chase with an excellent 116 not out - his first century at 1st XI level. He was well supported by Manie Senekal (41 not out) and the pair added 114 to get Matamata home.

The highlight in 1B action came as Josh Edwards - 79 from 70 balls - led Hillcrest to an imposing 340/8 from their 50 overs to which Fraser replied with 193 in a run-fest.

RUGBY

After doing the hard yards in securing the sponsorship they needed to travel to the Sanix Cup invitation tournament in Japan next month, national champions MAGS have reluctantly decided to stay at home.

"Pure and simple, it was a decision made by the school and the boys' parents as we were unsure about student safety," said MAGS headmaster Dale Burden.

"It is an invitation tournament and naturally the boys were keen to test themselves internationally but given recent events in Japan we had to consider all aspects."

Burden was grateful for support the school had received and said any of the $60,000 to $70,000 received in sponsorship would be returned.

"The team's and my focus is now on retaining the Moascar Cup and to defend the Auckland and national titles," said Burden.

"Cancelling the Japan trip has certainly sharpened the focus on the local competitions."

MAGS will defend the Moascar Cup for the first time this season against old rivals KBHS in a televised home match on May 21.

WATER POLO

Sacred Heart won the North Island senior boys' title for the first time since 1990.

Runners-up a year ago and showing the benefits of an academy and pool at their school, they won a closely fought final 10-8 over Rangitoto College.

The two teams went goal-for-goal throughout until Sacred Heart scored the vital goals at the business end of the clash. Tournament MVP Tim Dreadon had a great game in helping his team to victory.

Rangitoto, the clear favourites for the girls' title, duly delivered with an 8-6 win over Diocesan. It was not as easy as many had predicted with the score locked at 4-4 at the end of the third quarter.

Diocesan played well but Rangitoto showed strength in the fourth quarter, scoring three unanswered goals in the first three minutes.

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CHRISTCHURCH OPENER FOR SKY COLLEGE RUGBY GAMES

Sky Television will show 30 college rugby matches this winter in the second year of their commitment to 1st XV rugby.

The coverage will, poignantly, open in Christchurch with the clash between St Bedes and St Thomas on April 30.

The July 14 game between Otago Boys High and King's High will be played as the curtainraiser to the opening ITM Cup match of the season. There will be another curtainraiser when Palmerston North Boys line-up against Feilding AHS before the Hurricanes play the Force on May 27 in Palmerston North.

National champions MAGS will have two Auckland championship matches shown at home to KBHS on May 21 and away to St Kentigern on July 16. The AGS and Kings match will be played at AGS on June 18.

Games to be shown on Sky's Rugby Channel (home team first):

Apr 30: St Bedes v St Thomas 2.15pm.
May 7: KBHS v Kings 2.15pm.
May 11: Southland BHS v Otago BHS 1.45pm.
May 14: St Paul's Collegiate v Hamilton BHS 2.15pm.
May 18: St Pats Wellington v Wellington College 1.45pm.
May 21: MAGS v KBHS 2.15pm.
May 27: PNBHS v Feilding AHS 5.15pm.
May 28: Otahuhu College v De La Salle 2.15pm.
June 2: Christchurch BHS v Christs College 2.45pm.
June 8: NPBHS v Francis Douglas College 1.45pm.
June 18: AGS v Kings 2.15pm.
June 25: Hastings BHS v Gisborne BHS 2.15pm.
July 2: Massey HS v WBHS 2.15pm.
July 9: Press Cup (Christchurch) teams tbc 2.15pm.
July 14: Otago BHS v King's High 5.15pm.
July 15: St Kevin's College v Waitaki BHS 1.45pm.
July 16: St Kentigern v MAGS 12.45pm.
July 28: Hamilton, regionals 3 v 4, 1 v 2 teams tbc 10.45am/12.45pm.
August 3: PNBHS v Napier BHS 12.45pm.
August 13: Hurricanes regional semifinals teams tbc 5.15pm.
August 14: Hamilton SS final, teams tbc 12.45pm.
August 16: Blues regional final (Auckland winner v North Harbour winner) 1.15pm.
August 17: Chiefs regional final, Hamilton BHS v Rotorua BHS 1.15pm.
August 20: Highlanders winner v Crusaders winner 12.45pm.
August 24: Wellington quadrangular final 2.15pm.
August 26: 1st XV finals weekend, Rotorua, semifinals 10.45am/12.45pm
August 28: 1st XV finals weekend, Rotorua, Co-ed final 10.45am. Top four final 12.45pm.

* * *

COMING UP

Today: Cricket, girls, premier (4pm, home team first), Baradene v EGGS, Melville 4a, Avondale v St Kentigern, MAGS v St Cuthbert's, Melville 5a, Diocesan bye. Senior B (4pm, home team first), section one, Glendowie v Macleans, King's v Rosehill, Botany Downs v McAuley, St Kentigern v Pakuranga. Section two, Massey v Waitakere Int/jun, Onehunga v St Cuthbert's Int/jun, Royal Oak Int, MRGS 2 v St Dominic's Int/jun, Rutherford v Marist, EGGS Int/jun v MRGS 1. North Harbour (4pm), Long Bay v Rangitoto, Kristin v TGS 1, TGS 2 v WGHS, Northcote bye.

Kilikiti, senior A, Auckland Domain from 9.40am.

Softball, premier girls (both Green Bay HS), final round, Green Bay v EGGS 4pm, One Tree Hill v Green Bay 5.20pm.

Tomorrow: Kilikiti, senior B, Auckland Domain from 9.40am.

Triathlon, Auckland SS championships, St Kentigern College, year 7-8 9.30am, junior 10am, intermediate 10.30am, senior 11am.

Friday: Water polo, premier boys, Rangitoto v AGS 2, Diocesan 7.20pm; Northcote v WBHS 1, Millennium 7.40pm; AGS 1 v King's, Diocesan 8.10pm; Kristin v St Kentigern, Millennium 8.30pm; Sacred Heart, MAGS byes.

Saturday: Cricket, Auckland, premier A 11am), two-day championship, round two (second day), AGS 224 v MAGS 39/3, AGS; St Kentigern 248/6 v WBHS, St Kentigern; Sacred Heart 76 and 9/1 v King's 177 decl, King's. Premier A, two-day plate, Rangitoto 163/6 v Avondale, Rangitoto; Rosmini 271/9 v KBHS, KBHS; Macleans 122 and 1/0 v St Peter's 204, St Peter's. Premier colts (12.30pm, home team first), St Kentigern v WBHS 1, King's v AGS, WBHS 2 v KBHS, Stanley Bay.

Touch regionals, zones 1/2, Avondale Racecourse from 11am.

Sunday: Water polo, premier boys, AGS 2 v MAGS, Diocesan 7.20pm; St Kentigern v King's, Sacred Heart 7.20pm; WBHS 1 v Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart 8.10pm; AGS 1 v Rangitoto, Diocesan 8.10pm; Northcote v Kristin, Millennium 8.10pm.

Summer tournament week.

Saturday-Sunday: Mountain-biking, NZSS individual championships, Levin.

Sunday: NZSS Dragon Boat Championships, Blue Lake, Rotorua.

Sunday to April 1: NZSS Volleyball Championships, Palmerston North.

Monday to March 30 NZSS Futsal Championships, Trusts Stadium.

Monday to March 31: NZ junior boys cricket finals, Owen Delany Park, Taupo. NZSS Tennis teams final, Albany Tennis Park, Monday from 1pm, other days from 8.30am.

Monday to April 1: NZSS Softball Championships, Hutt Valley.

Monday to April 2: NZSS Rowing Championships (Maadi Cup), Lake Karapiro.

Tuesday: North Island SS Wrestling Championships, KBHS.

Tuesday to April 1: NZSS Waka Ama Championships, Blue Lake. Rotorua. North Island SS Softball Championships, division two, New Plymouth.

March 31: NZSS Triathlon Championships, Queenstown.

April 1: North Island Dressage Championships, St Peter's School, Cambridge.

April 2-3: North Island SS Athletics Championships, Porritt Stadium, Hamilton. North Island SS AFL seniors, Moire Park, Massey.

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