College sports: Rosmini just pip Westlake

By JENNI RUTHERFORD

Rosmini College fought off a determined attack by Westlake Boys' High to win 21-20 in the North Harbour college first XV championship.

Westlake took charge in the second half to lead 20-15, but two penalties late in the spell sealed the victory for the home side.

The two teams are tied on 37 points, three behind Massey High School, who remain unbeaten at the top of the table.

The three schools are clearly ahead of the rest of the North Harbour colleges. Rangitoto are the next best with 28 points, after their 42-0 slaughter of Long Bay.

Westlake face a huge task this weekend when they take on Massey. Their one-point loss to Rosmini means they must beat Massey to remain in the hunt for a semifinal berth.

Massey's 84-0 walloping of Westlake's second team last weekend, their home advantage, their unbeaten run and their defending champions' tag should give the school a real confidence boost.

Auckland Girls' Grammar, Papatoetoe High and Kaipara College have made it through to the semifinals of the girls' competition.

Grammar thrashed debutants Long Bay College 108-0 in the quarter-finals on Monday, while Papatoetoe had a hard slog against Epsom, eventually beating them 7-5.

Kaipara were handed their semifinal spot by Tamaki College, who defaulted.

The final clash for a place in the top four will be contested today between Tangaroa College and Westlake Girls' High.

BASKETBALL

A fight for a final spot in the premier boys grade is hotting up.

National champions Avondale are in a league of their own, dominating the competition, while Mt Albert, Westlake and Auckland Grammar are battling for a chance to meet them in the final on September 8.

The strength of Avondale is shored up by players such as Valance McCarthy and Bronson Reardon, who were part of the victorious Auckland/Waitakere team who won the New Zealand under-18 championships.

Auckland Grammar also have their fair share of talent in the form of Jamie Nelson, who captained the under-18 team, and Reuben White and Dan Fantl were also key members of the representative side.

Westlake and Auckland Grammar had a tough encounter in the latest round. At the end of regulation time they were tied 64-all, with Westlake the victors on the extra-time whistle 75-73.



Coming up this week:

Today: Intercity boys hockey. Auckland: grades 1A/B boys hockey, girls soccer, girls rugby. Counties: netball, boys soccer.

North Harbour: grades 1 and 2 boys hockey.

Tomorrow: Intercity girls hockey. Auckland: grades 1A/B girls hockey. North Harbour: grades 1 and 2 girls hockey.

Friday: Auckland: Badminton, basketball, squash. North Harbour: grades 3 and 4 hockey.

Saturday: NZ rugby league quarter-finals, Auckland schools competing are Mt Albert Grammar and St Paul's Collegiate. New Zealand aerobics. Auckland: boys soccer, rugby, netball.

Counties: rugby. North Harbour: netball, rugby.

Sunday: New Zealand Sevens, Petone. Auckland: sport climbing.

Monday: Auckland: girls rugby semifinals, junior boys squash. North Harbour: grade three boys.