College sport: Title contention awaits winner

By DAVE WORSLEY

It's another big day for the De la Salle first XV on Saturday when they play the Wesley College first XV in the national secondary schools competition quarter-final at home at 1pm.

Both teams had good round-16 victories, with De la Salle accounting for Whangarei Boys' High 67-8 and Wesley beating North Harbour champs Rosmini 34-10.

Led by prop Lionel Krone, De la Salle are in the competition for the first time after winning the Auckland championships.

The victor of this match is touted as a real title contender, but they will have to play either Bay of Plenty's best or the top from Waikato.

Rotorua Boys' High are the defending champs after playing out a draw with Napier Boys' High last year at Eden Park.

Rotorua Boys' High take on Hamilton Boys' High after both sides scored narrow wins in their round-16 clashes.

The other quarter-final matches are Napier Boys' High against Feilding High School and Christchurch Boys' High taking on Southland Boys' High.

SOCCER

It's one win apiece with one match to go between Auckland Grammar's and Mt Albert Grammar's first XIs as the two sides play out their third final in two weeks.

Today the teams play in the knockout final of the Auckland secondary schools champs. The final will be held at Kiwitea St at 3pm.

The knockout final is the deciding match between the schools after Auckland gained revenge with a win for the Auckland title just days after Mt Albert had won the national champs in a penalty shootout over Auckland.

Auckland Grammar's 1-0 victory gave them the Auckland premier title in the last match of the competition by two points.

CYCLING

The team time trial series ended on Sunday, as did one of the most closely- fought series of recent times.

In the senior boys event, Auckland Grammar came back from their defeat in race six to edge out St Kentigern College by 8s and one point overall.

In the senior girls, Diocesan A finished ahead of Epsom Girls A by 30s to win in the final race to cement their position as top team for 2003 winning the series by 3 points.

MULTISPORT

Bruce Hunter, last year's runner up from Macleans College, lived up to his expectations at the final secondary schools event of the year by winning the senior boys' title.

Hunter came into the cycle/run transition 13s down on James Bowstead from Waiuku College, but then proceeded to run the fastest individual time of the day to cover the 3km cross-country style run in 10m 57s to win the title. Bowstead was second and his team-mate Chester Holt was third.

The senior boys team event was a quinella for Rangitoto College, who also won the senior girls event.

NETBALL

Massey High School won the premier netball title in Waitakere City.

They finished two points clear of Avondale College, who narrowly pipped Kelston Girls High.

Across the grades, Massey dominated by winning nine of the 14 grades to cement their position as the city's top netball school.

THIS WEEK

TODAY - Soccer - Auckland knockout final, Auckland Grammar v Mt Albert Grammar, Central Club's grounds, Kiwitea St, Sandringham, 3pm.

FRIDAY - Basketball - Auckland premier finals: Girls, Takapuna Grammar v Avondale, 6pm, YMCA. Boys, Takapuna Grammar v Kelston Boys, 7.30pm YMCA.

SATURDAY - New Zealand secondary schools gymnastics champs, Gymsport and Recreation Centre, Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura.

Rugby - New Zealand schools quarterfinals - De La Salle v Wesley College, De La Salle College, Mangere East, 1pm.

SUNDAY - Mountain Biking - Auckland secondary schools champs, Woodhill Forest.