College sport: Wesley rugby too good for their own good

By JENNI RUTHERFORD

Wesley College's rugby success has reached the point where it is considered a threat to the sport in Counties Manukau.

Competition is drying up for the school team because the results are so one-sided, and Wesley are concerned at the impact on rugby in the region if no one wants to play them.

The school team were unbeaten in the Waikato regional Lenco Cup tournament and meet Napier Boys High School in the semifinals of the national first XV championships tomorrow.

Their sevens team pulled out of the Counties Manukau tournament after running up scores of up to 124 points.

The school have again asked to be included in the Auckland schools first XV competition.



"We're asking everyone to put rugby first," Wesley first XV manager Mike Tod said.

"There is a real concern that rugby could dry up for us, and if that happens it will have a dramatic effect on Counties Manukau rugby across the board."

College Sport executive director Rob Boston said the reaction from the Auckland schools had been mixed.

"In my view, something has to be done. I think the best way for Wesley to play in the Auckland competition, would be to start in the under-15s and work their way through to the 1B and win up to the 1A grade.

"Then there would be some transparency and they will have legitimately got through."

Rotorua and Southland Boys High Schools will play in the second semifinal tomorrow.

* The terrorist attack on the United States came close to ruining a historic journey by the Dilworth School first XV.

The boys were due to travel to Northern Ireland on a tour that included a game against the school attended by their founder, James Dilworth.

They raised $80,000, and were two days from take-off when the trip was thrown into turmoil because of airline problems worldwide.

However, a flight was found for them on Sunday afternoon.

"There was a great deal of disappointment when [the tour] turned to custard," deputy principal Bruce Owen said.

The school waited out the worst, before deciding on Thursday that they should try to continue with the trip, with the blessing from the boys' parents and the team.

The Dilworth team will also play against the first XVs of the Royal School of Armagh and the Coleraine Institute.

MULTISPORT

Julia Scopes, of Epsom Girls Grammar, completed a successful final year at school with a comprehensive win in the Auckland secondary school championships at Te Atatu.

Her success in the kayak/cycle/run follows titles in triathlon, duathlon and road-running.

Scopes was well ahead of second-placed Merrin O'Brien from Westlake Girls High.

Dino Bozzone, of Rangitoto College, also finished the season with a handful of trophies. He added the junior boys title to those he has won for triathlon, duathlon and cross-country running.

Todd Calkin (Auckland Grammar) won the senior boys event, followed by team-mate Oliver Tompkins. Paddy Walker (Diocesan) fended off Rangitoto's Rachael Nordmeyer by more than two minutes to win the junior girls race.

In the teams competition, Rangitoto's senior boys team of Michael Buck, Tom Lowery and David Steele headed off a Howick College trio. Sophie Gilbert, Seah Martin and Seon Venville from Diocesan won the senior girls title.

WEIGHTLIFTING

Auckland Grammar went on a record-breaking rampage at the national secondary school championships at Te Kauwhata College.

Brodie McGill set a new mark with an 80.5kg snatch in the under-16 69kg class and team- mate Richard Patterson also rewrote the record books with a 95kg snatch and an 115.5kg clean and jerk in the under-18 69kg class. Their feats helped Grammar to win the team trophy.

Jamie Baker from Wellington's Aotea College set the fourth new record, in the under-18 105+kg division, snatching 102.5kg, helping his school to second place in the teams title. Te Kauwhata College and Kelston Boys High School tied for third.

This week:

* Thursday:

New Zealand secondary schools first XV rugby semifinals, Onewa Domain, North Harbour.

* Friday:

Term three ends.

National secondary schools badminton championships, Wellington.

North Island and New Zealand secondary schools clay target championships, Levin/Feilding.

* Saturday:

National 1st XV rugby final, North Harbour Stadium.

National secondary schools cycling championships, Levin/Feilding September 22-24.

* Sunday:

National secondary schools underwater hockey, September 23-26, Christchurch.

* Monday:

Auckland secondary schools bowls championships, September 24-25.