Wiseguy Faiane and Freedom Vaha'akolo scored doubles as Auckland Grammar secured second with a 72-7 crushing of Otahuhu. Kelston defeated Tangaroa 21-0, meaning the latter and Otahuhu will have to play promotion-relegation in 2016.
All eyes were on the MAGS-King's clash to determine the semifinals make-up. MAGS won 19-10 but could not secure the bonus point try which would have ensured qualification.
In North Harbour's minor semifinals, Rangitoto stormed back from a 10-0 deficit to beat Orewa 18-10. Rangitoto will travel to Rosmini for Saturday's major semifinal.
In the other minor semifinal, Massey shut out Takapuna Grammar with a staunch defensive effort to the tune of 36-0. They will now face Westlake.
In Counties Manukau, Wesley and Manurewa cancelled their final round match as they were far ahead of the competition and will face each other again in Sunday's final in Pukekohe.
League
A double from second-rower Texas Toleafoa led Papatoetoe to their first ever piece of CRL silverware last Wednesday night.
The 16-4 Plate grand final victory over Aorere at Mt Smart No 2 was the school's first title since the inception of the CRL competition.
Tied 4-4 at halftime, the match remained close until the final two minutes when Papatoetoe scored their third try, sealing victory in wet and cold conditions.
Tamaki put together a commanding grand final performance to win the CRL Bowl title 28-0 over Manurewa B.
Football
In the Auckland First XI premier league, Auckland Grammar beat Westlake BHS 2-0 at home to maintain pressure on leaders St Kentigern and Sacred Heart.
MAGS are in third place on goal differential following their 4-0 win over Rangitoto.
A Dylan Bull goal secured Sacred Heart a hard-fought 1-0 win at Macleans on their new all-weather turf, meaning Sacred Heart maintain second place, two points adrift of St Kentigern but with a game in hand. St Kentigern, in turn, hammered King's 8-3.
In the Senior A1 grade, Mt Roskill Grammar still top the standings after defeating Kristin 3-1, three points clear of St Peter's, who downed Takapuna Grammar 3-1.
In the girls' APC Knockout Cup, MAGS, the seven-time league champions, crushed Diocesan 14-0, the latter missing a clutch of players away at the futsal world champs. Jade Parris scored four goals, while there were hat-tricks from Maisy Dewell, Jacqui Hand, and Samantha Tawharu. St Kentigern also had a big win, 9-0 over Waiuku.
Trampoline
It was gold and silver for the St Peter's College team in blue and gold at the recent NZ Schools trampoline championships.
Sean Wilson won gold and Sam Pallas silver in the elite men's grade at the Bruce Pulman Centre. Wilson's two routines scored him 57.700, while Pallas recorded 55.000.
In the women's individual elite, Rosehill's Alex Kennedy edged EGGS' Hannah Metzger for the national title, while Kristin's Jack Simpson and Macleans' Mia Kelly clinched the individual junior elite titles.
Squash
Westlake Boys' premier squash team stamped their class to become national champions in Palmerston North last weekend.
After winning all four of their matches 5-0 leading into the final, Westlake edged three-time defending champion Tauranga Boys' College 3-2 in the final to clinch the title. The team consisted of brothers Gabe and Rafa Yam, David Matthews, Stuart Martin and Matthew Lucente, under the coaching of Manu Yam and Mike Calver.
The final was tied at 2-2 and Westlake's hope of dethroning Tauranga and winning their first national teams title in 15 years (after third place in 2014) now rested on the shoulders of Year 10 student Lucente. There were some tense moments, but Lucente remained focused and undeterred to finally clinch the win for Westlake in a remarkable straight set victory.
Westlake's premier two team, who were seeded eighth coming into the tournament, also exceeded expectations, finishing seventh, dropping their match 5-0 to the premier one side, but confirming the strength of Westlake squash. At the closing award ceremonies, Westlake's team captain Rafa Yam was selected as captain of the New Zealand Secondary Schools team to compete in Sydney from August 22-29.
