College sport: Steven Kearney Cup final at Ericsson tonight

By DAVE WORSLEY

The Auckland league secondary schools finals are tonight at Ericsson Stadium No 2, starting with the Premiere XIII "Steven Kearney Cup" final between Marcellin and Aorere College.

The under 15 nine-a-side final follows when St Paul's College take on Otahuhu for the Graham Lowe Cup. The College A final will be fought out between Waitakere College and Auckland Grammar.

The grand final is between Kelston Boys High and St Paul's College. Defending champs St Paul's will be looking to avenge their defeat at the hands of Kelston earlier this season.

RUNNING

Biruk Belachew was Auckland's best at the national cross country champs in Wellington over the weekend. The 13-year-old Ethiopian, who immigrated to Auckland three years ago, won the year nine boys 3km in 10m 12s. Belachew's Mt Roskill Grammar team mate, Fetalow Zomo, was third.

Edwin Henshaw of Northcote College, the New Zealand under-18 3000m track champion, went close to winning the senior boys' 6km. Matthew Prosser of Wellington College won a sprint in the final 100m to beat Henshaw by one second in 19m 25s.

James Fisher of Auckland Grammar put up a bold showing against another Ethiopian, Terefe Ejigu, of Wellington College in the junior boys' 3km. Ejigu, the year nine winner last year, had a powerful final kick that carried him across the finish two seconds ahead of Fisher. Mathew Mildenhall from Auckland Grammar was third.

RUGBY

Upset of the round in the Auckland competition was Kelston's 10-9 win over Auckland Grammar.

De La Salle lead the competition by seven points. The Wesley 3rds are still setting the pace in Counties and at North Harbour the top six grade has kicked off. In the first round of matches Massey accounted for Rangitoto College 30-5, Rosmini beat Westlake Boys' 13-0 and Takapuna overcame Kaipara 13-7.

SQUASH

The Auckland teams championship titles have been won by Diocesan and Auckland Boys Grammar respectively over Epsom Girls Grammar 3-2 and Mt Albert Grammar 5-0.

GIRLS SOCCER

Takapuna Grammar are the dominant force in North Harbour competition. They are unbeaten after six matches and lead the division by six points. Carmel College, Rangitoto College and Westlake, are tied for second place.

Avondale led the central premiere west with a 100 per cent record.

Mt Roskill have just the one loss after five rounds and lead third-placed Onehunga High by five points.

Epsom are averaging nearly eight goals a game to lead the Central premier East Division.

The four teams jockeying for the runner-up spot are Auckland Girls', Epsom Girls' 2nd XI, Diocesan School and Macleans College.

Howick College lead the Manukau senior A competition by two points over Southern Cross and Waiuku have a 3 point lead over Pukekohe High in the Counties senior A.

NETBALL

Wesley College continues to set the pace in the Counties competition and Tamaki are close to Hilary College in the Manukau Premieres.

This week

Today - Auckland Rugby League Secondary Schools finals night at Ericsson Stadium Number 2, starting at 4pm.

Friday - girls' and boys' premier basketball; various venues.

Saturday - Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau first XV; various venues.

Netball - North Harbour, Onewa Domain; Auckland, Windmill Road; Waitakere, Te Pai Park.