College Sport: Waikato wins leave cox soaked through

The Waikato Diocesan School girls under-18 eight celebrate winning the premier prize in college rowing at the Maadi Cup regatta on Lake Karapiro in the Waikato. Photo / Alan Gibson

Laura Campbell led the school to an overwhelming number of victories

by Terry MaddafordLaura Campbell spent a lot of time in the water at the Maadi Cup regatta at Lake Karapiro, but it was for a good cause and she was not complaining.

As the cox of four winning Waikato Diocesan eights, Campbell received the traditional dunkings, but each time was quickly out of the water and focusing on her next assignment.

At the end of the regatta she was weighed down by gold after steering the school's under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-18 crews to victory. She was also the cox in the winning under-17 and under-16 coxed fours.

As the coxswain, Campbell, 17, was not subject to the age restrictions and became what head coach Gary Roberts (later named coach of the regatta) described as the "fighter pilot" - the eyes and ears for triumphant crews.

Given their clean sweep of the four blue-riband races, it was no surprise the Hamilton-based school won the highly sought-after Star Trophy as the regatta's top school - male or female - for the first time. Their previous best showing was two years ago when they placed fifth.

The unprecedented success was the culmination of a carefully planned programme undertaken by Roberts in his four years at the school.

"I had the belief we could do well and had the expectation of winning the Star Trophy for the first time," said Roberts, who was part of the rowing programme at nearby Hamilton BHS before embarking on an international career culminating as cox of the New Zealand elite four in 2003.

Since it was first awarded 15 years ago, the Star Trophy has been won by only four schools - Hamilton BHS, St Margarets, Rangi Ruru and now Waikato Diocesan. Amazingly, defending holders Rangi Ruru failed to win a medal this year.

Asked how he selects prospective rowers, Roberts said he watches them in other sports such as netball, basketball and soccer.

"I look at their character and take it from there. I challenge them to beat me," said Roberts who said he was being careful in not "giving away too many secrets".

He said the school's achievements at this level were no fluke and came on the back of the success being enjoyed by the sport as a whole.

"There were a record 122 schools at this year's regatta," he said. "That can only be good for the long-term future of rowing in New Zealand."

Auckland Grammar deservedly shared in the spoils with their triumphs in the Maadi Cup and Springbok Shield (as the winners of the under-18 coxed fours).

It was their second success in the Maadi Cup (their earlier win in 1992) and a first for the Springbok Shield.

Like Waikato Diocesan, AGS' success, overseen by another former international, Bruce Jones, is the result of a carefully mapped out programme.

"We brought in a new coaching team last year and changed the culture within the group," said Jones. "With the help of the back-up group, mainly parents, we ensure everything is done properly. There are no scratches on the boats and other things like the right nutrition and food are looked after.

"The focus all along was on the Maadi Cup. We kept the training regime in place even when we were contesting other regattas. We train as a group and spend a lot of time on the water - five mornings a week - and supplement that with weights and time in the gym."

Of the final, Jones said his crew had stuck to the game plan perfectly.

"We knew Hamilton Boys would rocket out from the start," said Jones. "They went out at 48 while we were at 44-45. In the end we showed it is not all about rating. You need the power."

ARCHERY

Making the most of almost perfect conditions, Max Rolland (AGS) dominated the Auckland SS Championships,

spearheading a clean sweep for AGS in the Competition Recurve Division. Josh Yuan and Matthew Knight filled the minor placings in the matchplay competition which followed morning qualifying.

Rolland's hopes of a double were dashed when he was just pipped in the Individual Limited Recurve Rolland by St Peters' Carl Bekker. Olly Reid (AGS) claimed third.

Almost 50 competitors from six schools including AGS, Kings, St Peters, Lynfield and Whangaparaoa took part in the championships hosted by the Auckland Archery Club.

CRICKET

AUCKLAND

Runs were at a premium, but in the end AGS were found wanting as they crashed to an eight-wicket defeat to long-time rivals WBHS in the feature third round premier two-day championship match.

Played on successive days late last week, AGS elected to bat first and were soon in trouble at 52/4 and quickly became a lot worse in one Jordan Sussex over in which he claimed four wickets including a hat-trick.

Only some sensible batting from Cameron Armstrong (51) and Ganesh RatNasabapathy (22) enabled AGS to reach 128 as Sussex finished with 6-21.

By stumps on the first day, WBHS were within sight of a first innings lead at 120/3. But they failed to cash in on the second day and struggled for 167 as Jacob Reilly bagged 4-29.

Looking to play themselves back into the match, AGS began their second innings well but were soon in big trouble and eventually dismissed for a paltry 92 which left Westlake just 53 to score for victory. They managed that for the loss of only two wickets and with seven overs to spare.

In a roller-coaster affair, St Kentigern turned a first innings deficit into an eventual 128-run outright win over Sacred Heart.

Batting first, St Kentigern collapsed to be all out for 81 to which Sacred Heart replied with 115 despite a 5-24 haul for opening bowler Jamie Brown.

Batting a second time, St Kentigern found none of the earlier terrors and piled on 229/4 at which point they declared to leave Sacred Heart to score 195 for outright victory.

They were never in it as left-arm spinner Nick Kelly claimed 6-23 and Tim Cleaver 3-9 as Sacred Heart were skittled for a miserable 59.

The third game also produced an outright result as Kings cruised home by an innings and 41 runs over a disappointing MAGS.

Batting first, MAGS, despite a gutsy 39 from Amit Dhadwal, never threatened to build a decent total as spin wizard Mark Chapman tore them apart in bagging 5-38. The innings eventually ended at 112. By stumps, Kings had the first innings lead.

On the second morning, with Simon Hickey and Fa'asiu Fuata'I reaching 118 and 41 respectively, and a couple of lower order cameos, Kings declared at 306/6.

Teja Nidamanuru was MAGS' top bowler but his 3-120 was not enough to put the Kings batsmen under threat.

MAGS were in survival mode in their second innings and thanks to a determined 64 from 123 balls for Haamiora Clarke, they almost survived. But Kings prevailed and head into the remaining matches in term four a point ahead of WBHS at the top of the table.

In contrast, the three plate matches were all decided on the first innings with Rosmini, Avondale and KBHS claiming the points with Avondale and Kelston two points clear of Rangitoto heading into term four.

WAIKATO

In a low-scoring but closely contested final, Cambridge HS claimed the 1A crown, beating St Paul's Collegiate by 22 runs.

Batting first, Cambridge began slowly, with captain Nik Boyle cautious as his team reached 24 before losing their first wicket. The runs continued at a trickle rather than a torrent reaching 39 before Pat Tomsett departed. Boyle and Mitch Kirkbride upped the tempo in adding 37 for the third wicket before disaster struck in the 21st over.

Boyle (47), Hugo Bothma and Kirkbride all fell in the space of six deliveries. Only a 31-run partnership between Jono Feast and James Bateman gave any substance to the innings which ended at 122 as James Chenery picked up 3-24 from 10 overs.

At 15/2, St Pauls were in trouble but Josh Fawcett and Lachlan Cooper quickly added 32 runs from 37 deliveries to give them some hope.

The loss of Fawcett slowed their momentum and Cooper followed soon after, leaving them teetering at 71/8.

The innings eventually ended at 100 with Kirkbride the chief destroyer with 4-21. He was well-supported by Harlee Overton with 3-20.

St Peter's School beat St John's College with 107/5 after restricting St Johns to 102/5. The victory earned St Peters third place and allowed them to retain the Dave Hoskin Cup.

The runfest came in the fifth/sixth play-off which Matamata College eventually won by four wickets over neighbours Morrinsville College who began slowly but batted their 50 overs to reach 213/9.

In reply, Matamata appeared to be cruising as Chanchal Singh and captain Brad McKenzie piled on 72 runs for the second wicket.

The loss of quick wickets when Stuart Lawrence was introduced swung the momentum back to Morrinsville but Matamata steadied the ship and got home thanks mainly to a 40 not out from Nick Perring.

VOLLEYBALL

WBHS completed a clean sweep of the four major titles with an emphatic win over Trident HS in the National Championships.

The 25-22, 25-16, 25-21 win in Palmerston North earned the North Harbour school their second national crown.

En route to the national championship, WBHS had won the North Harbour, Auckland Premier League and Auckland Championships.

To reach the final, WBHS knocked out top Canterbury hope Riccarton HS in the quarter-finals and Napier BHS 3-1 in the semifinals. Trident knocked out tournament top seeds Tauranga BC 3-2 in a hard-fought semifinal.

Led by the superb skills of captain, Tom Hartles (who was later named MVP), and backed by outstanding play from Jesse Hawkins and Mitchell Hobson and Manaia Harris, who dominated the middle zone at the net, and the consistent setting of Simon Connolly and Max Longdill, WBHS were unbeatable on attack.

Libero Jack Beasley also pulled off some magnificent pick-ups.

WBHS had Kyle Smith, Jake Seymour and Josh Howe (under-17) and Hartles, Hawkins, Hobson and Harris (under-19) named in national squads.

In an all-Bay of Plenty affair, Tauranga GC, led by tournament MVP Andrea Tauai, came from two sets down to beat Otumoetai in a gruelling final 19-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-15, 15-5.

Tauai and team-mates Stephanie Pierce and Toni Bullock were later named in the tournament team.

WAKA AMA

Northland schools dominated the 10th National SS regatta at Rotorua's Blue Lake with Kaitaia College winning the under-19 boys and girls W6 250m finals.

In further success for Northland schools, twins Tupuria and Riana King (also Kaitaia) won the under-19 W1 championship while Opononi Area School claimed the under-19 boys and girls W6 500m finals.

More than 1300 students from 80 schools from the Far North to Christchurch took part, with Canterbury schools shrugging off the loss of training after the earthquake.

A team from Tahiti added to the regatta's success. College de Pao Pao, from Moorea, brought 12 competitors who quickly showed why the Tahitians are world champions in Waka Ama.

From 49 schools and 470 participants in 2002, the championships have tripled in size with the aim now on attracting at least 100 secondary schools in future.

Rhei Pare (Southern Cross Campus) won the under-16 boys W1 title while Mila Brown (Alfriston) claimed the girl's championship with her twin sister, Kata, third.

Gisborne Boys' and Girls' High won the under-16 W6 500m titles.

WRESTLING

Moving up two weight divisions to the 46kg category proved no handicap for New Zealand champion Brahm Richards (Rutherford HS) as he claimed that junior title at the North Island Championships at KBHS.

Coached by blind national champion Clinton Davies at Club Physical, Richards, the national 38kg title-holder, won gold from Tea Pouri-Lane (Hamilton BHS).

Richards' club teammate Matthew Downes (MAGS) won the under-54kg category and Massey High's Luke Weir claimed under-58kg gold. Downes' brother Joshua took bronze in the tough under-76kg class.

The championships attracted competitors from across the North Island, with up to 30 entries from schools.

Dilworth took overall honours from Hamilton BHS and KBHS.

Club Physical chief executive Paul Richards said he saw a place for the sport in the community.

"There is a lot of current debate over school bullying and the increased frequency of school assaults," said Richard. "Boys in particular do instinctively love to tussle and to test their survival skills against others. I believe we should be encouraging more students to channel this energy into the controlled and refereed environment of school wrestling programmes and other martial arts.

"In doing so we would create an outlet for them and more importantly, build a sense of respect, achievement and personal discipline. As an example, thousands of students are involved in daily school wrestling in the US. Installing such a vigorous, energy-consuming programme in all New Zealand schools will lead to calmer, more emotionally mature youth."