KEY POINTS:
Auckland's best young trampolinists were upstaged by visiting Rachel Schmidt in the keenly-contested girl's A grade which attracted six national representatives in the 10-strong field at the Auckland secondary schools championships.
Schmidt, competing by invitation at the Icon Trampoline Club-hosted event, was consistent throughout, edging Rangitoto's Amberley Yee by almost three points.
Yee claimed the Auckland title from Penny Bennett (MAGS) by just 0.12pts with Emma McLaughlin (Howick) 0.18pts further back.
In another tense battle, Dexter Temm (AGS) delighted the crowd with his efforts in topping the boy's A grade field. He was pressed by Long Bay's Matthew Holt who scored 53.86 - one point behind Temm but five clear of third-placed Phillip Joll (Manurewa).
The team titles at the championships, which attracted almost 100 competitors in eight grades, were won by Massey High (girls) and Long Bay College who took the boy's title from Massey whose D grade boys turned in an entertaining effort in giving it their all in epitomising sportsmanship.
Basketball
Papakura continue to be the upsetters in premier boy's action. Their 76-73 win over co-leaders WBHS continued their recent giant-killing run.
Led by Corey Stephens and top-scorer Dennis Tawhiti (20 points) and with George Burt shooting five three-pointers in his 17 points, Papakura held off a comeback by Westlake, to win and move into the top five.
Westlake's Zac Fitzgerald and Scott Campbell scored 15 points each.
With David Dyer and Jeremiah Makavilitogia both scoring 24 points, Dilworth held the upper hand over the battling Northcote side, winning 84-57.
Led by most valuable player Christoph Fahrensohn, who also top-scored with 17, KBHS sprang another upset in beating fancied AGS 60-54 with Paul Organ scoring 16.
The upsets continued as co-leaders Rangitoto were upended 81-69 by MAGS for whom Kingston Maunalofi showed out as leading scorer. Isaac Gerayli led Rangitoto's scoring.
Massey moved to within a point of premier girls' leaders Rangitoto with their 49-45 win over EGGS.
Rugby
The blow-out victories in some one-sided matches in recent weeks of the 1st XV A1 championship were pushed aside in sixth round action with only one team - AGS, 23-6 winners over St Pauls, reaching 20 points.
Leaders MAGS were held to 12-6 by old rivals Kings.
Player of the day Kane-Paul Smith touched down for a try which Carl Perry converted to give MAGS their 7-0 halftime lead. A Kings penalty closed the margin to 7-3 before Rocky Khan raced over to score in the corner. He could not convert and a second Kings penalty completed the scoring.
AGS had one of their better days scoring three tries to none in picking up their third win in six matches.
Tries to Scott Johnson, Omar Slaimankhel and Tama Toki, with Alister Hitchcock adding a conversion and two penalties got AGS home in a keenly-contested game.
Tangaroa joined KBHS on two wins with a 16-11 victory away from home. After trading penalties, Tangaroa scored a long-range converted try to snatch a 13-3 halftime lead.
Kelston closed the gap with a penalty early in the second half to which Tangaroa replied in a like manner. The home side got themselves back into the game when Pita Ahki linked with talented fullback Junior Ngaluafe to score. With the conversion unsuccessful and with no further scoring, Tangaroa held on to win.
Sacred Heart continue to impress. Beaten only once this season, they are in joint second place with De La Salle following their 16-6 win over neighbours Tamaki College.
Two Semisi Ahoafi long-range penalties gave visiting Tamaki an early 6-0 lead to which the home side replied with a penalty and a converted try for a 10-6 halftime lead. Two second half penalties completed the scoring.
St Peters claimed their third straight win beating Otahuhu 13-9 with Karyss Adams scoring the only try after a well-timed pass from Nepia Fox-Matamua. Michael Bing converted and kicked a penalty to give St Peters their 10-9 halftime lead.
A second Bing penalty stretched that to 13-9 but the home team then had to withstand attack after attack from Otahuhu to hold on for the points.
WBHS bounced back from last week's jitters to beat Rangitoto 31-7 in North Harbour action.
Tries to Jamie Foster, Lyle Davenport, Connor O'Malley and Mike Gibson with Jarrod Soar adding the four conversions and a penalty always had WBHS in control.
Rangitoto's reply was a Jamie Winks try which Richard Mills converted.
Orewa continued their good form with a deserved 25-17 win over TGS.
Winger Luke Waterman led the charge for Orewa with two good tries and coupled his good attacking play with some inspirational defence. Phillippe McConnell had a good day kicking two penalties and two conversions. Tai Josephs completed the scoring with a third try.
Ben Gunn and Cody Rowhi scored tries for Takapuna GS with Ben Blucher adding the rest of the points with his boot.
Rosmini continued their rampaging run with a 94-3 win over Northcote College. Fullback Joseph Tuitopou led the way with three tries.
Mahurangi came from behind to beat Long Bay College 23-12 at Long Bay with the visitors scoring four unconverted tries by Charlie Mitchell (2), Shaun Payne and John Simmonds while the home team scored two - to Vincent Alexander and Chase Hay.
Tries to Bowan Maloney and Ben Paltridge and a Karl McKenzie penalty gave Kristin their 13-0 halftime lead.
Playing into the wind in the second half, they then restricted visiting Kaipara to two Aaron Hetariki penalties for an eventual 13-6 win.
The clash of the season thus far, the final grading round clash on Saturday between Rosmini (at home) and Massey promises plenty.
* www.asbcollegesport.co.nz
