KEY POINTS:
North Shore schools are again awash with international yachting success.
Led by Westlake Boys High 14-year-old Chris Steele, students from three North Shore schools have grabbed top 10 finishes at the world Optimist championships in Sardinia, Italy.
Steele, in his last regatta in the class, had seven top-five results, including one win. He discarded a 23rd and 24th placing to win by five points.
Now set to continue in the Starling class, Steele follows many of his school's top yachtsmen - including Dean Barker, Chris Dickson and John Cutler - to the international scene.
The championships attracted 256 sailors from 56 countries and pitched the Kiwis into chartered boats slightly different from their own.
Steele, whose parents have no boating background, can thank the Waterwise programme he completed while at Vauxhall Primary for introducing him to the sport.
He was joined in the top 10 by Rangitoto College fifth-former Alex Maloney, who was third overall and clearly the top female sailor. She, too, won a race. Like Steele, Maloney, 15, has ended her Optimist days and is preparing to go fulltime into the P Class, in which she has already made her mark.
Maloney, who lives alongside the Murrays Bay Sailing Club, is aiming for the Tanner Cup - in which she was second last summer - and Tauranga Cup regattas in January.
Takapuna Grammar's Logan Dunning-Beck, like Steele a member of the Wakatere Boating Club, grabbed ninth place. He follows Peter Blake and Gavin Brady, among others from Takapuna Grammar, to make his mark.
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BASKETBALL
A tough double-header tested premier players' reserves but did little to alter the points. Dilworth, with wins over Auckland Grammar and Northcote College, continued their good run. Led by 24 points from David Dyer, they won 85-76 over Grammar but Grammar's Patrich Bolstad shone with a 33-point haul.
Lydon Aoake (25) led the way in Dilworth's second win as they toppled Northcote 85-74. He was well supported by Jeremiah Makavilitogia (23). Josh Tuaiti (22) was Northcote's leading scorer.
Rangitoto also won both games, with Scott Campbell top scorer in wins over Northcote, 91-78, and Mt Albert Grammar, 70-50.
Westlake Boys bounced back from a loss to Kelston Boys to beat Avondale College.
Kelston got home 75-72 over Westlake, who led after the first quarter and in Robert Loe (29 points) had the leading scorer. Three days later Jonathan Legge led the charge as Westlake Boys beat Avondale 93-60.
Kezia Kelly bade farewell to the local competition on a winning note, leading Northcote College's premier girls to a 74-44 win over Rangitoto. Kelly scored 19 points in her last outing before heading to the US.
Massey won two from two but failed to reach their century in beating Rosehill 99-39. Most valuable player Chevannah Paalvast scored 34. Elyse Clark sank 19 for Rosehill.
Georgina Solomon took the scoring and most valuable player honours for Avondale in their 75-54 win over Epsom Girls Grammar.
There are no games this week. The final round is scheduled for August 17.
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HOCKEY
Rangitoto teams continue to set the pace in the inter-city championships. Both their boys and girls went through their four round-robin matches unbeaten and are assured of top spots for the play-offs.
The Rangitoto girls had to battle all the way before beating Diocesan in the latest round. Locked 0-0 at halftime, Rangitoto got home 3-1 after Georgina McKenzie had got Diocesan back to 1-1 at one stage.
Goals to Kelsi Walters and Emma Jones steered Rosehill to their 2-1 win over Kristin.
In the non-competition game, St Cuthbert's beat Massey 6-0.
In a boys game Rangitoto beat Auckland Grammar 2-1 with goals from Dylan Nixon and Josh Tattley. The reply was scored by Callum Longden. The last of the round-robin games will be played today and tomorrow.
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RUGBY
There is an unfamiliar look to the semifinals of the 1st XV championship.
Season-long front-runners De La Salle are at home to St Paul's and Mt Albert Grammar meet Tamaki College for the right to play in Saturday week's grand final.
De La Salle and Mt Albert Grammar went into the last round assured of semifinal spots, but four schools chased the remaining two places.
Sacred Heart faced the toughest task and while they did well to hold De La Salle to 17-3, the championship favourites were always in control. Playing into the wind, De La Salle scored three first-half tries to kill any hopes Sacred Heart might have entertained.
The best of those tries was scored by winger Timothy Timo. There were standout games from fullback Tim Lafaele, lock Mark Sopoaga and prop Aleki Pua for De La Salle, who lifted the prized Hiberian Shield as Auckland's top Catholic school.
St Paul's booked their date with destiny by upsetting Kelston Boys 15-0. The win ended a 25-year drought for St Paul's against Kelston.
The only try of the first half in a game played in the mud was scored by left-wing Edgar Leilua after good build-up play from Joe Alesi and Liaki Moli.
Second-half tries to Paki Afu and Afaese Saumani on the back of good work from first-five Alex Fogavini sparked scenes of wild celebrations for St Paul's, who must lift again this week to have any chance at De La Salle.
Tamaki College went into their game against St Peter's knowing a bonus-point win would secure their top-four finish.
After an early penalty gave St Peter's the lead, Tamaki hit back to lead 15-8 at the break with unconverted tries to Sione Fifita, Sione Sa and George Moala. Two excellent second-half tries by Afa Pakalani sealed it for Tamaki, who after many years in the 1B competition now have a shot at the big one.
They go into their next game knowing Mt Albert are the only team to beat them this year, winning 12-7 earlier in the season.
Mt Albert warmed up for the semifinals with a 46-0 home win over Tangaroa College.
Auckland Grammar upset King's 15-14 to dash any hopes King's might have entertained of reaching the top four.
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SOCCER
The big prize is only 90 minutes away for Mt Albert Grammar. Three points from Saturday's senior A1 game at Rangitoto will seal their fourth straight league title.
A hard-fought 2-0 win over St Peter's took Kevin Fallon and his team within sight of the championship. A Mark Withers goal in each half was enough to earn Mt Albert their 11th win in 12 outings.
Withers opened the scoring after 20 minutes. His second was in the 79th minute.
St Peter's rarely faltered, with lofty centre-backs Astley Lee and Parusi Lemalu showing out in front of goalkeeper Jonathon Ross, who was in fine form.
Pomare Te Anau again showed out for Mt Albert while defenders Ash Solly and Darryn Ah Kuoi were solid.
Auckland Grammar set up the daily double with their 5-0 win over King's. That was followed by the nail-biting victory by the Auckland Grammar 1st XV over King's.
The A2 title is up for grabs, with Kelston Boys three points clear of Pakuranga and Massey. All teams have two to play. Kelston are at home to Pakuranga in the last round.
