College sport: Star runner shows skill at all levels

By JENNI RUTHERFORD

King's College sprinter April Brough may want to rethink her specialist event after an outstanding fourth leg of the 4x400m relay at the Auckland secondary school champion-of- champions athletics meet.

Brough, an accomplished 100m and 200m runner, amazed those at Ericsson Stadium last week with a time of 53.58s for the final leg of the King's senior girls team, who included Anna Mathieson, Ashley Siddall and Alex MacMorran.

Her coach, Wendy Brown, said Brough's performance was "unbelievable." The team's time of 4m 02.38s broke the record by 12s.

CRICKET

An influx of Maori and Pacific Island cricketers has boosted the chances of the Kelston Boys High School first XI defending the R. H. Marryatt Cup.

Last week's final against King's College was rained out and a new date has yet to be set.

Kelston lost all but four of the side who won the Auckland one-day competition last year.

Four Polynesian boys have made the side this year, bringing a fresh approach to the game, says coach Blair Webby.

ROWING

Rowing staff at St Kentigern College were bewildered and insulted at accusations they were scouting rowers and offering them lucrative scholarships.

Piopio College twins, Sam and James Bryan, were allegedly approached after winning the under-17 double sculls at the North Island secondary school championships by a person claiming to be from the school.

St Kentigern College principal Warren Peat said that after meeting with his rowing staff he was satisfied they had not broken the sport's code of conduct.

It had probably been an over-zealous parent, he said.

Peat telephoned Piopio principal Tim Davies-Coley to set the record straight. Davies-Coley said he would not take the matter further.

WATER POLO

Epsom Girls Grammar burst back to the top in a tight final against Westlake Girls High School at the the North Island senior girls championships.

Epsom were a dominant force from 1998-2000, winning the national title each year.

Wellington's Rongotai College beat Westlake Boys High in the boys' final.

TENNIS

St Kentigern won the James Aitkenhead Shield for the first time since 1990 and it is the latest achievement to add to what is fast becoming a substantial list.

They won all premier boys' grades in the Auckland competition last year.

St Cuthbert's beat a determined Diocesan to retain the girls' shield.

THIS WEEK

* Today: New Zealand secondary school softball championships, Hastings.

Auckland: Auckland secondary school novice wrestling championships, girls cricket.

* Friday: New Zealand secondary school canoe polo championships, Hastings.

* Saturday: North Island secondary school athletics championships, Ericsson Stadium, Mar 23-24.

North Island secondary school swimming and diving championships, Palmerston North.

Auckland: Auckland secondary school outrigger regatta, cricket, tennis.

* Sunday: Auckland: individual mountain-biking championships, climbing, orienteering.

* Monday:Auckland: premier teams semifinals.

* Tuesday: Auckland: champion of champions swimming, zone two touch rugby play-offs.

North Harbour: zone one touch rugby playoffs.