College sport: Traditional rivalry lives up to its billing

King's player Ngataua Hukatai scores the first of his two tries. Photo / Getty Images

Saturday's 197th clash between Auckland Grammar and King's College was every bit as dramatic as the great battles that had gone before.

About 7000 turned up to watch the traditional fixture which, despite the run of poor weather, was played on an immaculate AGS field.

The final 25-21 scoreline in favour of the visitors told only part of the story of this made-for-television thriller.

The first half was a sorting out period as both sides struggled for dominance and by halftime, King's led 12-3, courtesy of a faultless kicking display from Simon Hickey with four penalties to a sole Noah Taio penalty for the home side.

The second half began at pace. Player-of-the-day Chris Tau'alupe scored after a King's error. Hickey added a fifth penalty for 15-8. Taio replied in like manner to close the gap.

The game then changed dramatically. King's squandered further scoring opportunities before a deft chip kick from Auckland Grammar replacement first-five Renata Roberts-Te Nana led to a well-worked try wide out by Josh Minhinnick. Taio added the extras for an 18-15 AGS lead. He soon stretched that to 21-15.

With three minutes to play, King's frantically attacked and winger Ngataua Hukatai crossed in the corner. Hickey pushed the conversion attempt across the face of the posts to leave AGS ahead 21-20.

With time almost up AGS restarted by kicking deep.

Loose forward Sinclair Dominkovich-Murray gathered and surged forward. From the ruck, halfback Mickey Bateman cleared to Hickey, who threw a wide cut out pass inside his 22 which landed in the hands of King's captain Fa'asiu Fuata'I, who surged 40 metres upfield.

He unloaded a brilliant pass to fullback Bram Egli, who transferred to unmarked Hukatai, who crashed over in the corner. With the sideline conversion attempt striking the upright the final whistle blew with King's taking a remarkable four-point victory.

There was no such drama as MAGS hosted bottom-of-the-table Tangaroa and ran out 72-3 winners.

MAGS were soon 7-0 ahead as Damon Niko dotted down and Jarrod McAlister-Poi added the conversion.

MAGS continued to attack and Una Mohi sped past two defenders to score. McAlister-Poi added the conversion and Mohi was put into space again and scored a good team try for a 19-0 lead.

Tangaroa then kicked a penalty for their only points.

In the end MAGS ran in 12 tries - with Niko scoring four, Mohi and Emil Pittman three each, and one apiece for Louis Devery and Dalton Woodman. McAlister-Poi added four conversions and George Edwards three as MAGS surpassed their previous record score - 71-10 over De La Salle last season.

But it will be a different story this week when MAGS host King's.

BASKETBALL

Auckland Grammar retained their perfect start to the season in the premier boys' championship with a 94-38 win over Onehunga High making it eight-from-eight.

Onehunga, even without influential captain Taleni Seu, held AGS to 13-23 in the first quarter but could do little as AGS won the second quarter 33-7.

Having scored more than 100 points in their previous four outings, Auckland Grammar took the opportunity to shore up their defence and give more court time to their younger players.

James Ashby and Reuben Te Rangi top-scored with 17 points each and Aart Fahrensohn, Crichton Were, Jodeci Tana and Kenneth Adhihetty took their opportunities.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, Onehunga defended well in patches. Raymond Penny shot well for his 15 points and Wade Coe also looked strong on the dribble.

Dilworth were looking to repeat their first-round success against KBHS when they got home by four points.

In the first quarter Dilworth kicked away to a 22-14 lead with Ryan Dwyer contributing 10 of the points.

It was a similar story in the second quarter, which ended with Dilworth taking a 43-30 halftime lead.

The third quarter was tightly contested with both teams scoring 25 points with spectacular dunks from Dwyer and Teo Akania contributing to Dilworth's cause.

The hosts kicked away in the final quarter with some fine three-pointers from Anaru Maru to extend the lead and an eventual 89-72 winning margin.

Kelston points were spread among their team with Jamie Poe (17) their leading scorer.

NETBALL

EGGS continued their unbeaten run in outclassing Diocesan 42-18 in premier action. EGGS shooters Kaity Alexander and Angela Latu shot 100 per cent.

Coach Trish O'Brien played her entire bench, giving her younger players time in several different combinations which underlined their strength throughout the court.

Saturday's clash with old rivals AGGS promises to be a thriller.

RUGBY

NORTH HARBOUR

TGS were brought crashing back to earth after their shock win over WBHS when they opened their top-four campaign at Massey.

Winger Tevita Li pounced on a Takapuna Grammar error and ran away to score. TGS replied with a penalty.

Massey were all business with flanker Dylan Masters diving over and lock William Siuta stretching out for a try on the back of a storming run by number eight Abraham Papali'i. First-five Ngapo Wehi converted two and kicked a penalty for a 22-3 halftime lead.

The second half was much the same as Takapuna struggled to cope with the size of the Massey pack.

Massey scored first after the break following a TGS lineout error which allowed Dylan Masters to dive over unopposed for an easy try.

The home side ran in two more tries in a few minutes, first through centre Ieti Tago and then by winger Pierre Pili.

With 10 minutes to play, TGS finally managed to get over the line with an intercept try by replacement Oliver Harper. This was quickly countered by two quick Massey tries for Masters and hooker Vili Motusaga to wrap up a convincing 55-8 victory.

In the other 1A fixtures, WBHS thrashed Rangitoto 49-3 and Rosmini comfortably beat Mahurangi 25-0 for a bonus point win to stay at the top of the table just ahead of Massey.

In the final fixtures of the 1B first round, Northcote thrashed Hato Petera 64-10 to clinch top spot, Long Bay edged rivals Whangaparaoa for second 20-19, Kaipara won 37-15 over Kristin to qualify for the second round and KingsWay secured their first win of the season, upsetting Birkenhead 14-6.

Northcote, Long Bay, Whangaparaoa and Kaipara join Glenfield and Orewa for the 1B second round commencing on June 25. Kristin, Birkenhead, Hato Petera and KingsWay will play in the 1C division.Toby Hurley

SOCCER

The depth of the MAGS squad was put to the test even before a ball was kicked in the top-of-the-table clash with St Kentigern.

Coach Kevin Fallon had to deal with the last-minute withdrawal of experienced goalkeeper Patrick George through a bout of tonsillitis and the loss of defender Connor Lynch with a groin strain.

Up stepped 15-year-olds Cameron Hogg and Cameron Sinclair.

MAGS struggled to find any rhythm as striker Martin Pavic was repeatedly caught offside.

Slowly the home side played their way into the game but were unable to convert half-chances into goals.

There was no scoring as the teams turned 0-0 with the visitors right in it as they capitalised on poor MAGS passing and uncertainty in the middle of the park where St Kentigern's Matt Ridenton and Thomas Konusi won that battle.

It was little surprise that Fallon rang the changes, introducing another 15-year-old, Tom Trbuhovich, with Arus Sem on the wing.

The hosts took the lead in the 51st minute when Monty Patterson played in Trbuhovich on the left. His shot was pushed wide and Sem pounced and confidently swept the ball home.

Ridenton had a chance to equalise in the 58th minute, but headed over the bar. He corrected seven minutes later as he headed home a right-wing cross for the 66th minute equaliser.

Luck was on the home team's side in the 71st minute when Patterson was dragged down inside the penalty area and referee Jan Henrik Hintz had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Up stepped Alex Ridsdale. His shot was well saved by Sam Horn but the ever-alert Sem followed up and converted for a 2-1 lead.

Thus MAGS continued their perfect seven-from-seven start to the season.

AGS consolidated their second place - on goal difference from St Kentigern - with a 3-1 home win over KBHS.

After four minutes AGS' Ryan Martin and Matthew Kolose worked a neat one-two that put Martin through. He gleefully smashed home from close range.

But then the home side went into cruise mode as Kelston struggled to turn promise into goals.

They were rewarded for their endeavours two minutes before halftime when they pounced on a loose ball in the AGS penalty area and bundled home the equaliser.

In the second half both teams squandered chances to take the lead until the 63rd minute when, after more strong work by Kolose, the ball was turned in by Barny Poulter.

The home side made it safe minutes later when Arthur Yanagisawa scored his first goal for AGS - a neatly tucked-away volley after another powerful run and expert cross from Kolose.

AGS took the opportunity to go to their bench with Rory Turner making his long-awaited return from injury with a constructive last 20 minutes.

In girls' soccer action, the MAGS 1st XI were tested by second-placed Massey High in a crucial fixture which ended in fading light.

MAGS dominated from the kick-off with poise and controlled football and were rewarded after 10 minutes when TJ Hetherington scored from a well-orchestrated corner kick from Kelly Drummond.

MAGS added two in the second half. With fancy, slick footwork, Deven Jackson beat the last defender and slotted a well-executed shot.

They completed the scoring when Jackson found Min Khanthee, who fired the ball into the Massey goal.

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