College sport: Senior boys title stays in Auckland

By JENNI RUTHERFORD

Mahurangi College's Stephen Lett continued the Auckland region's grip on the New Zealand secondary school cross-country senior boys title, but the other age-group medals headed south.

Lett maintained Auckland's stranglehold, winning on the muddy 6km course at St Kentigern College in a time of 20m 27s.

Over the past six years, Auckland runners have won the senior boys event every year except 1997.

Schools from the Wellington region dominated in three of the six sections.

Ilandre Bester (Wellington Girls' College) was first in the year nine (third-form) girls 3km race, a new event this year. Not far behind were Alice Taylor (Rangitoto) and Howick College's Renee Holtom.

Wellington College's Patrick Rosevear enabled the capital to boast the year-nine double, while the best Auckland runner was Rangitoto College's Stuart Robinson in third place.

Ben Christophers (Hutt International Boys' School) was a surprise winner in the junior boys race over 4km. Waitakere College's Simon Bucknell ran well for second.

Lett denied a Wellington whitewash of the boys' events, finishing 17s clear of Wellington High School and 2000 junior boys winner Matthew Prosser. Rangitoto's Terenzo Bozzone was third.

A big toe broken two days before the race ruined three-time champion Rebecca McEnaney's chances of defending her record.

The Rangitoto College sixth-former put on a brave face, determined to foot it with the country's best senior girls over 4km and maintain the winning streak that had seen her cross the line first in the junior girls section every year since she began high school.

But after leading for most of the first 2km lap, the pain in her right foot forced her withdraw.

"I knew that if I didn't at least start the race and try to defend the record, I would regret it," she said.

The injury is expected to be healed in time for the world youth athletics championships next month.

Jane Nalder, from Nelson's Nayland College, was a comfortable winner in the senior girls, ahead of Claire Goodwin (Temuka High School). Sarah Coghlan (Burnside High School) was third, completing a South Island sweep.

Rebecca Forlong (Matamata College) pipped Kate Campbell (Diocesan) and Patricia Ross (Hillcrest High School) by the narrowest of margins in the junior girls race, all three finishing within a second of each other.

RUGBY

A drop goal by Kings College first five-eighths Gary Bradley in the dying stages of their 184th match against Auckland Grammar gave Kings their 51st win against their traditional rivals in the Auckland 1A first XV competition.

The see-saw game came down to the wire. Grammar led 3-0 at halftime, but a try each in the second half kept the heat on, and with time rapidly running out, Bradley's goal gave Kings victory, 10-8.

The Moascar Cup slipped through Scared Heart's fingers.

They were robbed of the chance to get their hands on the prized trophy for the first time in the cup's 81-year-old history when they lost 6-7 to De La Salle.

Ahead 6-0 for all but the last 90s of the match, Sacred Heart's hopes were dashed when fullback Aukuso Siloi scored.

Holding their breath for the conversion, captain Robinson Avei took over the kicking after three unsuccessful penalty attempts, and responded impressively to the pressure for De La Salle to retain the cup in their first successful defence.

The celebrations may not last long, though, as they are clear underdogs in their second defence, against Mt Albert Grammar on Saturday.

Wesley College came home victorious after beating Church College 20-10 in the first round of the Lenco Cup.

RUGBY LEAGUE

Defending Auckland University Shield champions St Paul's will meet Otahuhu in the semifinals today, while second-placed Mt Albert Grammar host Kelston.

The strength of St Paul's in league is reflected in the school having four teams spread through the Auckland grades.

The school is guaranteed a place in the final of the Graham Lowe Cup for under-15 nine-a-side teams, with St Paul's first and second teams meeting each other in the semis.

This week:

TODAY

Intercity boys hockey championships.

Auckland: orienteering championships, squash team championships, rugby league semifinals.

Counties Manukau: netball.

TOMORROW

Intercity girls hockey championships.

FRIDAY

Auckland: premier basketball, squash, badminton.

SATURDAY

Auckland: swimming championships, rugby, netball, soccer.

Counties Manukau: Rugby: - Wesley v Taupo-nui-a-tia, Lenco Cup

North Harbour: rugby, netball.

Waitakere: netball.

SUNDAY

Auckland: cycling time trial, sport climbing.

MONDAY

Auckland: girls' rugby.