College sport: Westlake break grip of Auckland rivals

By DAVE WORSLEY

Westlake Boys' High have continued one dynasty and broken another in becoming the national soccer champions.

Westlake have broken the Auckland Grammar/Mt Albert dominance of recent times but have continued Auckland's dominance of the premier championship.

The final between Westlake and Auckland Grammar in Napier was a tight affair, ending 0-0 and eventually being decided in a penalty shootout, with Westlake winning 3-2. Westlake's Shaun Van Rooyen was named man of the match.

Auckland Grammar have one last chance to win a trophy this season when they meet perennial rivals Mt Albert Grammar in the Auckland knockout final, which will be played as the curtainraiser to the Chatham Cup final at North Harbour Stadium at 5pm on Monday. Mt Albert Grammar finished fifth in Napier.

In other soccer tournaments last week, Kelston Boys' High won the second tier Jim Wishart Tournament with a 1-0 win over Hutt International in the final and Long Bay College beat Trident High 3-0 in the Linwood Cup final in Whakatane.

The Trident Trophy final at Ferguson Park was won by Macleans College, who beat last year's beaten finalists Whakatane High 4-0.

Hutt Valley High, who beat Sacred Heart of Auckland 2-1 in the Rex Dawkins Cup final in Wellington, prevented an Auckland clean sweep of the five boys' tournaments.

The national premier girls' competition in Christchurch was held in conditions foreign to many players from North Island schools with snow falling on many days.

Epsom Girls' Grammar overcame the cold to add the national title to their Auckland crown - a double achieved for the first time in a decade.

In a repeat of last year's final, EGGS beat Tauranga Girls' 3-2 with a late Vicky Vercoe goal.

In the Auckland championships EGGS conceded just one goal - in the final against Mt Albert.

Cycling

The final race of the Auckland waterfront series had most of the titles decided before the day's racing with most section leaders comfortably clear.

St Kentigern's victory in the senior boy's championship was their first in the event and came despite incurring a two-point penalty.

Five victories in seven races underlined their dominance and knocked Auckland Grammar off the perch they have occupied since 1997. Their superiority continued, with their junior team winning the series and all the races by a decisive margin from their own B team and AGS A.

In the senior girls, Diocesan also had an unbeatable lead before the last race, having won all their earlier races. They continued in that form to head their B team and EGGS, who tied the series for second place. All three winning teams set course records during the season to emerge as worthy champions.

The closest racing was in the junior girls' division - held for the first time this year - with one of three teams in with a chance. In beating St Cuthbert's by eight seconds, Diocesan earned themselves a share of the title with Westlake Girls' one point ahead of St Cuthbert's, who finished third.

Netball

Local teams dominated the upper North Island championships at Henderson's Te Pai courts.

Auckland Girls' Grammar showed out with their exciting attacking play and professional attitude. AGGS beat defending champs Hillcrest High (Hamilton) convincingly in the final 50-19.

Mt Albert Grammar, who have been the big improver this season, also made the top four and joined AGGS, Hillcrest and Massey in qualifying for the national championships.