College Sport: Shootout drama in soccer

By DAVE WORSLEY

The national soccer final was yet another epic sporting clash between Mt Albert Grammar and Auckland Grammar, and they get the chance to repeat the drama this weekend.

Mt Albert prevailed in a tense penalty shootout to win the final 10-9 in Nelson.

The teams were locked at 1-1 after regulation time following goals to Mt Albert's Jeff Konai late in the second half and Auckland Grammar's Chris Dale. The deadlock remained after 20 minutes of extra time, forcing the final into the penalty shootout.

Mt Albert won the shootout when Auckland Grammar's Jeremy Kenealy pushed his shot to the left. It was an unfortunate way for Auckland Grammar to lose after their strong attacks and resolute defence.

Auckland Grammar had looked most likely to break the deadlock. Nick Dale and Chris Hatten both went close with second-half shots and Stuart Hogg, who has just signed for Scottish premier league club Hibernian, used his speed on the flank to cause problems for the Mt Albert defenders.

The schools square off at Auckland Grammar at noon on Saturday in a match that will decide the Auckland 1A championship.

In recent years Mt Albert have had an exceptional record in the national championships winning this year and last plus taking part in finals in 1997, 1999 and 2000.

BASKETBALL

Church College continued their dominance of secondary school basketball by defending both titles in the national championships in Palmerston North.

The Waikato school beat Nelson in the boys final and John Paul College in the girls. Takapuna Grammar finished third and Avondale fifth in both the boys and girls competitions.

Takapuna had one boy and two girls named in the New Zealand team to play Australia in a four-test series this year (for teams, see results).

BOYS HOCKEY

Auckland Grammar are the national champions after beating Tauranga Boys High 3-0 in Christchurch. Auckland teams dominated the championships with Westlake Boys, Rangitoto and King's College's rounding out the top five.

LEAGUE

Kelston Boys High won the national title in Hopuhopu, downing St Paul's College 30-8, a repeat win from their Auckland final.

RUGBY

Manurewa High defeated Papatoetoe High 12-7 in the final of the girls' first XV competition.

One player from each side doing all the scoring.

The physical match at Sturges Park was headed for a draw before Manurewa first five-eighth Tammy Pomare scored her second try.

Aroma Fa'afuata crossed the line and kicked a conversion for all of Papatoetoe's points.

Onehunga High were too strong for Long Bay College in the third and fourth playoff, winning 46-0.

THIS WEEK

Friday: Basketball, Auckland premier league semifinals, various venues.

Saturday: Soccer, final round 1A competition, Auckland Grammar v Mt Albert at Auckland Grammar, noon.

Sunday: Multisport, Auckland secondary schools multisport event, Taipari Reserve, Te Atatu, 10am.