College sport: Riders get red card for behaviour

By DAVE WORSLEY

Ngaruawahia was invaded by more than 350 secondary cyclists on Sunday for the North Island cycling championships and while there were plenty of riders taking part there was also plenty disqualified.

In one race - the boys' under 15 25km - 16 riders were disqualified by race chief Mark Ireland because of "road behaviour" or dangerous riding on public roads.

Around 70 cyclists started the race and about 35 crossed the line in a mass sprint.

The overall winner was Brendon James from Auckland Grammar with Tim Bennett of Te Awamutu in second place. Third place is still in question and a video is being used to decide the bronze medal.

Auckland schools dominated almost all of the events, winning eight out of 11 races.

Rushlee Buchanan of St Peters College, Cambridge, won the girls' under 16 25km race.

A win in the under 14 girls by Lytton High School (Gisborne) and Palmerston North Boys High School's record win in the junior boys time trial ruined an Auckland-based clean sweep.

In the junior girls time trials, Epsom Grammar A finished over 30 seconds ahead of Diocesan B while Auckland Girls Grammar finished in third place.

Diocesan A, Epsom Girls A, Diocesan B and Pakuranga College took away the top four spots in the senior girls and Auckland Grammar A, St Kent's A, St Kent's B and Westlake Boys A the same in the senior boys.

KARTING

Pre-race favourites Shane Van Gisbergen (St Kentigern), Mitchell Osborne (Mt Albert) and Brock Barrie (Rangitoto) lived up to expectations at the Auckland championships.

The three top competitors provided exciting and close racing at speeds of up to 115km/h over all five heats.

The junior class (under 17) was the largest and most hotly contested class of the weekend with 18 karts on the track at once.

Rangitoto College as the holders of the college champion team trophy were given some tough competition from St Kentigern and ended the day on equal points.

These points will be carried forward to next weekend's competition where one school will come out the winner.

A total of 81 competitors from the greater Auckland area competed for both individual titles and the coveted champion college team title. The final round of this championship will be run at Mt Wellington this Sunday.

RUGBY

It looks likely that Auckland A and North Harbour will meet in Saturday's final of the Northern Region secondary schools tournament in Opotiki.

In the first round Auckland A had a tight win over hosts Bay of Plenty 12-8, Auckland B lost to Waikato 36-24 while North Harbour had a comfortable 65-7 win over Northland.

Yesterday North Harbour accounted for Waikato 20-14 and Auckland B had an easy victory over Northland, 39-6. Auckland A scored a 20-8 win over Counties Manukau thanks to a big effort from Daniela Teutau who ran the game well.

In their first game of the tournament Counties competed well in the forwards and outstanding openside flanker Kieron Reid put in a big effort.

Today is a rest day with the finals scheduled for Saturday.

HOCKEY

In the premier boys competition, Auckland Grammar are making the early running as the only team with a 100 per cent record. They lead from Westlake Boys.

In the blue section Kings are the early leaders again with a 100 per cent record.

The girl's competition also has a familiar look to it with Diocesan and Westlake Girls both boasting two wins from two matches to head the red group while Epsom Girls Grammar and Rangitoto College are doing the same in the blue group.

This week

Tomorrow through to Saturday, Rugby - Northern region provincial tournament, Opotiki

Sunday - Kartsport second round Auckland schools champs, Mt Wellington