College sport: Whangarei bowlers spot on

By JENNI RUTHERFORD

After a long and frustrating wait, Whangarei made short work of St Peter's College in cricket's national zone one final.

The Epsom team were dealt a harsh lesson in finals cricket by the defending zonal champions, losing by 10 wickets.

Batting first, St Peter's raced to 22-0 before collapsing for 68 from 29.5 overs.

Whangarei put the game away in 16 overs, reaching 69 for the loss of just one wicket.

The final had been put off for several weeks for various reasons.

St Peter's cricket teacher Brett Fricker said the Whangarei bowlers were in top form.

"You could count the amount of loose balls they bowled on two hands."

Chris Newson (2-17), Thomas Elliot (4-19) and Jason Morgan (3-13) did most of the damage.

Fricker offered advice to Kelston Boys High School, who meet Whangarei next Tuesday to decide who will travel to Palmerston North for the national final of the secondary schools Gillette Cup next month.

"The way to beat them is to be patient," Fricker said.

"I'm not sure what their batting is like, but they bowl on the spot almost every time.

"The Kelston players should wait for the loose ball to come."

Whangarei have represented zone one for the past nine years and last won the cup when Matthew Bell, later a New Zealand test opener, was a member of the side.

Kelston have never won the trophy.

Meanwhile, Rangitoto College will need something of a miracle when they take on competition leaders Kings College in the final round of the Auckland premier two-day competition.

Rangitoto, at the bottom of the table with Takapuna Grammar, need to beat Kings to avoid relegation.

Takapuna have an easier task to stay in the top grade, taking on Avondale College, who are a point above them.

TENNIS

The rain dampened some of St Kentigern College's spirits, preventing the senior boys team from properly celebrating their historic championship win.

It is the first time in the school's history that they have won the senior tennis title, in a grade dominated by Auckland Grammar.

St Kentigern needed to win just one match in the final round against Kings College and when the heavens opened, Kings were leading 3-2.

It has yet to be decided when the games will be completed.

WATERPOLO

Westlake Boys High School rounded off their season in style, winning the North Island junior championships.

The national and North Island senior champions were clearly the form team, taking the final against Rosmini College 9-2.

Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt), whose sides were senior North Island winners and national runners-up this year, defeated Epsom Girls Grammar 2-0 in the girls final.

VOLLEYBALL

Hillary College have made life hard for themselves by pulling out of the Auckland junior volleyball championships yesterday, leaving them a tough road back to the premier grade.

They will have to go back to playing in the Southern zone, win it and qualify for the Auckland championships to earn promotion.

The small Otara school excelled under the tutelage of Samuel Pickett, who guided their senior side to a national championship.

Pickett now coaches at Mt Albert Grammar and his passion has transferred to the West Auckland school, with a boys and girls side playing this week.

This week:

* Today:

Auckland: junior boys softball.

North Harbour: junior volleyball.

* Tomorrow:

Auckland volleyball championships, until Saturday, at the Otara Rec Centre and Unitech.

* Saturday:

Auckland: premier cricket.

* Monday:

Auckland: junior girls softball.

* Tuesday:

Auckland: junior touch rugby.