KEY POINTS:
For the more than 400 competitors who will be part of the action when power gives way to paddle at Orakei Basin on Saturday, the day is about more than just racing over a measured course.
The 11th Auckland SS Junior Waka Ama has attracted 73 teams from 17 schools who will race over 300 metres. In a quick-fire day's racing for the six-person crews, around 70 races will be held.
The sport, which has become competitive over the years, provides a unique link with the past.
Outrigger canoes - in which the outrigger (or ama) on the left side balances the canoe (or waka) - have been part of Polynesian culture for centuries, used as a means of transport, a way of life.
This regatta gives the students an opportunity to not only experience what is for many of them a new sport but also the chance to learn a little of the history and traditions associated with this ancient Polynesian craft.
On Saturday much of that will be pushed into the background once racing begins. Last year's big winners, Hoani Waititi (in the girl's division one) and Onehunga HS (in the mixed division one) will be back.
CRICKET
WAIKATO: A third wicket partnership of 137 by Chris Jamieson and Jack Bruce laid the foundation for Hillcrest High's match-winning 267/6 against St John's College.
Batting first after winning the toss and then losing an early wicket, Hillcrest again looked to Jamieson who went on to score 111 with Bruce contributing a well-compiled 50. Jamieson hit 11 boundaries giving the St John's attack little respite. Useful lower order efforts from Michael Heron and Rhys Whiting took the total beyond 200.
St John's chased enthusiastically, but in the end only James Evetts (36) offered any real resistance in the face of some steady bowling from Simon Roots, Ivan Schroder and Bruce. They managed only 143.
Cambridge HS, this time batting first after winning the toss, also scored 143. It was never enough and Te Aroha College, led by another good knock from Daniel Frischknecht (63) got home by four wickets.
Fraser HS won the toss in their game against Hamilton BHS Emerging XI and batted first but quickly wished they had not.
At 37 for six, there was no way back as Anthony Koers picked up 3-19 with good support from Zabir Aziz, Tom White and Ryan Thomson who picked up two wickets each.
Led by George Hollobons (61) and Jared Suns (38) who piled on 104 for the first wicket, the HBHS team cruised home by nine wickets.
St Peter's School back at home and on a new strip, sent the HBHS Development XI in to bat. With Malcolm Matthews and Fraser Kilgour taking seven wickets between them, HBHS managed only 166. Taking a cautious approach in reply St Peter's built slowly into their innings, getting home with eight wickets down in the 48th over.
Healthy contributions from a number of batsmen allowed Matamata College to post a commendable 309 in batting first against the Hillcrest HS 2nd XI. Openers Jeremy O'Reilly (29) and captain Toby Hawes (43) scored at seven runs an over to give the innings a lively start. Jayden Park continued in the same vein in scoring 68 while at No 9, Mitchell Green posted his maiden half-century with a timely 55. Green took 4-40 as Hillcrest battled to 188.
WATER POLO
After springing a major upset a week earlier, the MAGS junior A boys crashed to their first loss of the season when beaten 7-2 by WBHS who join Sacred Heart and AGS as the only unbeaten teams.
It was close for AGS and Sacred Heart, however, as they drew 4-4. In scoring good wins, Glendowie and Rangitoto kept their semifinal hopes alive with MAGS also in contention.
Diocesan beat previously unbeaten Massey 8-4 while in a cliff-hanger WGHS beat arch-rivals Rangitoto 2-1 to win their pool and win through to the girls semifinals.
The attention swings away from the local competition this week as Auckland schools are among the 51 teams who will contest the North Island junior SS championships at three Auckland venues from tomorrow until Sunday. Rangitoto (boys) and Sacred Heart, Lower Hutt (girls) defend their titles.
COMING UP
TODAY: Cricket, girls, North Harbour (4pm, home team first), final, WGHS v Carmel, 3rd-4th, TGS v Rangitoto, Long Bay v Orewa. Auckland, premier/senior A (4pm), St Cuthberts v Diocesan, Melville 5a, EGGS v MAGS, Melville 4a, MRGS v Baradene, MRGS.
TOMORROW-SUNDAY: Water polo, NISS Junior Tournament, West Wave Aquatic Centre, Sacred Heart Aquatic Centre, EGGS Aquatic Centre (games begin between 8.30am-9.30am each day), finals (West Wave), Sunday, girls A 3.05pm, boys A 4pm.
SATURDAY: Cricket, Auckland 1A, second day (11am, home team first), MAGS v AGS, Rosmini v WBHS, St Kentigern v KBHS. North Harbour premier boys (8.30am, 35-over games), home team first), WBHS v Rangitoto, Birkenhead v Long Bay, TGS v WBHS.
Waka Ama, junior regatta, Orakei Basin 8.30am.
