College sport: Winter tourney week adds to action

Mt Albert Grammar goal shoot Tera-Maria Amani in action against EGGS. Photo / Richard Robinson

School is out for a few days as thousands of sports-mad students head off for winter tournament week in varied sports around the country.

"This is the busiest time of our sporting year," said NZ SS Sports Council chief executive Garry Carnachan yesterday.

"There are 73 events involved over a wide range of different sports."

Asked how many students will be involved, Carnachan said: "I wouldn't have a clue ... but there will be plenty.

"As well as the usual hockey, soccer, netball, basketball and many other tournaments, we have some new events this year including Nordic skiing and biathlon which will be followed at Cardrona by the South Island skiing and snowboarding championships.

"Most school principals want to see their pupils involved and able to access these tournaments which involves a lot of planning by our council, the event organisers and the schools themselves.

"For most, it signals the end of their winter season."

Events spread from hockey in Whangarei to soccer in Invercargill.

North Harbour hosts the badminton championships, being played under a new format with an open entry rather than zonal qualifying.

In previous years 10 boys' and 10 girls' teams competed. This year it is 18 boys' and 11 girls' teams.

Victoria Cheng (Macleans) and Asher Richardson (Burnside) will be back from the Youth Olympics in Singapore to spearhead their teams in a competition which has attracted most of New Zealand's leading juniors.

Top doubles combination Anona and Aviva Pak and national junior representative Melissa Yin give WGHS a strong hand while WBHS have New Zealand junior international Evan Lee and his brother Kerwyn, Maika Phillips, Dylan Soedjasa, Johan Lau and Ben Lie - all North Harbour representatives.

Macleans have Samuel Ho, another junior international, with Howard Chou and Jason Leung.

The major rugby focus will again be on the Top 4 tournament in Rotorua with representatives from the Blues (Mt Albert Grammar), Chiefs and Hurricanes franchises and one school representing the Crusaders and Highlanders squaring off.

Netball will have tournaments in Auckland, Wanganui and Blenheim, with the top four from each going on to the October 5-8 New Zealand SS Championships in New Plymouth.

Hockey has 22 tournaments - for boys, girls and mixed teams - while soccer has 12 with most interest on the Lotto Sports premier events in Napier (boys) and Nelson (girls).

The cycling championships are in Auckland from September 3-5.

GYMSPORT

Auckland's rhythmic championships had close competition in all disciplines - ribbon, hoops, balls and rope.

In the end only 0.735 points separated Pukekohe High's Alina Gutorova and Kelly McDonald (King's) in the international grade.

Gutorova clinched the honours with excellent efforts in rope and ball while McDonald led the field in hoop and Westlake's Ruth Lin in ribbon.

HOCKEY

King's and WBHS will square off in today's grade one inter-city boy's final after both scored odd-goal semifinal wins in a tight competition.

King's edged old rivals AGS 2-1 while WBHS had to battle all the way to beat Pukekohe by the same score.

In the first of the two-leg play-offs for fifth and sixth - with the winner to hold their place next year - Rangitoto beat Pakuranga in another game which finished 2-1.

Rangitoto booked their place in tomorrow's girl's grade one final in another game which ended 2-1, beating local rivals Kristin.

In another local derby, St Cuthbert's beat Diocesan to enter the final, with Julia King scoring the only goal.

LAWN BOWLS

Dilworth lost their unbeaten record but conceded only 16 points in beating a determined Henderson High (Green) 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the inter-school competition at the Remuera BC.

Henderson surprised many with their three-shot win in the "A" pairs.

Henderson (Blue) also fought all the way before going down 2.5-0.5 to neighbours KBHS.

Henderson's two teams in the last eight at their first attempt was seen as a worthy effort.

AGS A had comfortable wins over a gallant Lynfield team comprising Year 9 and Year 10 players while St Cuthbert's beat a young AGGS team, with St Cuthbert's pair Isobel Freeman and Kim Lee the only unbeaten team.

NETBALL

MAGS and EGGS went into battle for the third straight year in the premier final in front of a vociferous crowd at the Auckland Netball Centre.

MAGS went 3-1 ahead before EGGS settled and levelled at 7-7 by the end of the first quarter, then 14-14 at halftime.

A highlight of the game was the match-up with goal-shoot Tera Marie Amani and goal-attack Eteta Tangimetua and wing-attack Erikana Pedersen heading the MAGS attack and working tirelessly against a tight defensive team effort from EGGS defenders Taylor Matthews and Tori Vao and wing-defence Ajay Young.

A serious injury to EGGS mid-courter Chonaire Huriwai unsettled EGGS, which MAGS capitalised on to race eight points clear entering the final quarter.

EGGS fought back until the final whistle but MAGS won 31-24.

Earlier EGGS gained some momentum when they beat MAGS 31-28 to claim the senior A title.

RUGBY

The MAGS 1st XV beat North Harbour champions WBHS 19-3 in a scrappy clash to win the right to represent the Blues franchise at next month's top four competition in Rotorua.

On a ground much better than they could have played on at home, MAGS made light of the trip to Westlake to run in three tries to none making good use of their weight advantage against the smaller but gutsy Westlake pack.

Matt McGahan was again impressive with one of those tries and two conversions, with captain Michael Fatialofa and Ma'afu-Lele Likiliki adding the other tries.

Jacob Botica kicked a penalty for the home team's only points.

NORTH HARBOUR

WBHS conquered long-standing rivals Rosmini 28-15 in the 1A final at North Harbour Stadium in the curtainraiser to the ITM Cup game between North Harbour and Otago.

In the 1B semifinals Glenfield comfortably beat Kaipara 32-6 and Rangitoto confirmed their place in the final defeating Northcote 22-0.

In the 1C semifinals Kristin predictably put away Hato Petera 24-3 and the Hibiscus Coast rivals Kingsway and Whangaparaoa battled it out at Silverdale before a 200-strong crowd with Kingsway eventually prevailing 23-13.

THAMES VALLEY

Mercury Bay Area School have won the Thames Valley SS 1st XV championship for the first time, convincingly beating competition front-runners Hauraki Plains College 18-3 in the final at the Paeroa Domain.

Mercury Bay had never before been in a final or won the Coulter Cup in the 72-year history of the competition.

WAIKATO

After an excellent contest that reflected the healthy state of local secondary schools' 1st XV rugby, St Paul's Collegiate upset the season-long front-runners St Peter's School 21-10 in the Waikato competition final played at St Peter's on Saturday.

After winning the toss, St Paul's elected to play with the wind in the first half and then proceeded to dominate territory and possession, gaining a significant 21-0 lead by halftime.

St Peter's fought back in the second spell but never looked likely to overcome that early deficit.

At the completion of the match, St Paul's were awarded the inaugural Ian Foster Shield as champion side for the year, as well as capturing the Tricolor Trophy, competed for on a challenge basis, to cap off a superb season.

In the Chiefs franchise playoffs, Hamilton Boys High School suffered their first loss of the season, beaten 14-11 by Rotorua Boys High School, who had kicked a drop goal just before the final whistle to claim their win.

Rotorua now play Wesley College today and a win will take Rotorua through to the national Top 4 playoffs.

But, should Rotorua lose, Hamilton retain a slim chance of going through to defend their national title when they meet Wesley on Saturday in the final match of the three-team playoffs.

SOCCER

AGS run on to their home pitch for this afternoon's catch-up game against bottom-of-the-table Kristin with the much sought-after premier league title headed their way.

Only a huge upset will prevent their claiming the crown and snap MAGS' winning trot at six. Kristin would have to win for only the second time this season - their first in the top grade - to stop AGS getting the trophy.

AGS go into today's match three points behind MAGS but with a plus-five advantage on goal differential, any win enough to give them the honours.

MAGS battled to the bitter end - winning their last match, an always difficult encounter, 3-2 at Westlake - but from the season's outset coach Kevin Fallon conceded it promised to be a long, hard-fought battle with a team a step or two below the standard of those of recent years.

AGS too had to battle to stay in the race, getting home 1-0 at home over Rangitoto - the team Fallon picked as the likely surprise packet.

The first half at The Quarry produced few shots in anger but the second half came alive with the only goal of the match, when Josh Anthony again worked well on the left before James Routledge finished it to send the AGS supporters into raptures.

But, fully aware a Rangitoto goal could end their dream of a first title since 2003, AGS had to hold on. They did so and return to the same ground this afternoon to seal the deal.

Despite being without powerful central midfield player Nikko Boxall and losing Jordan Vale, injured after 34 minutes, MAGS came from behind twice to eventually claim their 11th win of the season.

Chris Steal stunned the visitors when he scored after just two minutes when he drove the ball into the MAGS net.

But the equaliser was just eight minutes in coming when left back Matt Alemann drove a wide freekick to the far post. Striker Karlo Pavic headed it back across the goal to stopper Sam Redwood who volleyed home.

The game was played at a fast clip with both teams contributing some tidy play on a treacherous surface.

In the 27th minute, MAGS skipper Matt Rowland failed to clear his lines and the resultant clearance was clipped in behind him and flicked on for the lively Blair Whitlock whose shot tamely found a way under diving MAGS goalkeeper Patrick George.

Yet another MAGS set play resulted in the equaliser in the 37th minute. From an Alemann left-wing corner Redwood headed powerfully home to send the teams to the break at 2-2.

The game-breaker came from a quick MAGS counter attack in the 75th minute. Connor Lynch found Faitalia Hamilton lurking just outside the penalty area from where he managed to manoeuvre himself into a shooting position and hammer the ball past Daniel Greeney in the Westlake goal.

Fallon summed it up: "I was pleased we signed out with a victory and particularly happy for Nathan Atherton who certainly looked comfortable in the middle of the park."

The other winners have been found.

Unbeaten St Kentigern finished five points clear of KBHS to take the A1 title and book their place in next season's premier league.

TGS ended the season with the best record of the 40 teams - 13 wins and a draw and a 60-14 goal differential - in taking the A2 crown by 10 points from Rosmini. It was closer in A3 with Botany Downs edging Howick by just two points while Waitakere claimed A4 honours by seven points from neighbours Henderson High.

GIRLS

They might not attract the attention of the soccer powerhouses but there is special pride at St Mary's College in their Junior A team.

After winning the Junior B title last year and gaining promotion, the team has swept all before it to win the Auckland Provincial Championship and complete an amazing unbeaten run over the two seasons.

In stepping up from B grade at the Auckland Central Championship, St Mary's were understandably nervous but in winning 4-0 first-up against Baradene they were on their way and followed that with 8-0, 2-0, 8-0 and 3-0 to convincingly win pool B. They continued on their winning way with further 3-0, 1-0 and 6-0 to win the plate competition and progress to the APC where they again won 7-0 over Albany JHS and 2-0 over Diocesan to win through to the semifinals and a clash with feared MAGS.

With the words of encouragement from co-coaches Brendon Smith and Roger Purdy, they tackled their arch-rivals. St Mary's went ahead through Rachel Graham but MAGS hit back to equalise with a penalty - the first goal conceded all season by St Mary's. Minutes before the end of extra time Kate Storer slotted the winner to seal a place in the Cox's Bay final against EGGS in the most atrocious conditions imaginable.

At fulltime it was locked 0-0. There was no scoring in 20 minutes of extra time so the title went on the line in a penalty shootout. Hard enough on the nerves of the most seasoned players let alone Year 9 and Year 10 girls.

After a couple of misses and with St Mary's leading 2-1, Nicole Wilkie sunk the one that mattered, sparking great celebrations and leaving EGGS to contemplate their first loss of the season.

In the senior final MAGS beat Avondale 2-1 to retain that title.

WATER POLO

The New Zealand women's team were always up against it at the Fina World Cup in Christchurch but for Diocesan student Danielle Lewis it was a great experience and another step in what she hopes will become a long international career.

The only schoolgirl in the New Zealand team, Lewis impressed national coach Eelco Uri who praised his young charge and tagged her a "stand-out" with those sentiments shared by other coaches at the tournament.

Competing against the world's seven top-ranked teams was a baptism of fire for Lewis, who turned 18 at the start of the five-day championships and was thrilled to play alongside two Diocesan old girls, captain Anna Sieprath and her sister Lauren.

Lewis, who normally plays centre-back, was switched to the driver spot for New Zealand's games against the United States, China, Hungary, Russia, Australia, Greece and Canada.

"I think I was just too little to play centre-back against these girls. I didn't realise how strong the other players would be and how much I would get pushed around," said Lewis.

Uri said he was extremely happy with Danielle's performance and she was spotted by the other teams' coaches, including the United States, as "a player to watch".

"Danielle made massive improvements over the past few weeks," said Uri. "For her age she did exceptionally well and she was definitely one of the outstanding players at the tournament."

ON THE WEB

www.asbcollegesport.co.nz

COMING UP

TODAY: Hockey, inter-city boys, grade one, final, Kings v WBHS, North Harbour Hockey Stadium 7pm. 3rd-4th, AGS v Pukekohe, AGS 5.50pm. 5th-6th (2nd leg), Rangitoto v Pakuranga, Rangitoto 6pm. Grade two, final, Rosmini v Macleans, NHHS 6pm. 3rd-4th, Kristin v MAGS, AGS 4.30pm. 5th-6th (2nd leg), Strathallan v Rosehill, Pukekohe 5.50pm.

Soccer, premier league (catch-up game), AGS v Kristin, AGS 3.30pm.

TOMORROW: Curling, Auckland SS round 14, Paradice Avondale (6.45pm), Massey HS Mixed v EGGS Hauke, EGGS Putts v Long Bay Bauer, Long Bay Mahendron v Henderson High Taylor, EGGS Khoo v Massey High Powlesland.

Hockey, inter-city girls, grade one, final, Rangitoto v St Cuthberts, AGS 5.30pm. 3rd-4th, Diocesan v Kristin, NHHS 7pm. 5th-6th (2nd leg), Kings v EGGS, AGS 4.10pm. Grade two, final, St Kentigern v WGHS, Lloyd Elsmore Park 5pm. 3rd-4th, TGS v Carmel, NHHS 6pm. 5th-6th (2nd leg), Rosehill v Pukekohe, Pukekohe 5.30pm.

FRIDAY: Basketball, premier play-offs (all North Shore Events Centre), girls, MAGS v St Cuthberts (1 v 4) 6pm; Rangitoto v AGGS (2 v 3) 6pm. Boys, AGS v Avondale (1 v 4) 7.30pm, WBHS v Onehunga (2 v 3) 7.30pm.

SATURDAY: Netball, North Harbour, final round, premier championship, WGHS v Rangitoto 9.45am, Carmel v Kristin 9.45am, Long Bay v Northcote 10.30am. Premier flight, Long Bay 2 v Rangitoto 2 9am, Carmel 2 v WGHS 2 10.30am, Pinehurst v TGS 10.30am.

Rugby, North Harbour, grade finals, North Harbour Domain (from 9.30am), 1B, Glenfield v Rangitoto; 1C, Kristin v Kingsway; 2nd, WBHS v Rosmini; 3A, Orewa v Mahurangi; 4A, Rosmini v WBHS; 5A, WBHS v Massey;

6A, Rosmini v Rangitoto; 7A, Orewa v Long Bay.

Soccer, senior A4 (catch-up game), Mahurangi v Parnell 10am.

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT WEEK

August 28-31: Basketball, juniors, zones 1/2 (girls/boys), Rotorua; zone 3, New Plymouth.

August 29-30: Indoor bowls, NZ SS, Wellington.

August 30: Athletics, NZ SS cross-country relays, Porritt Stadium, Hamilton. Golf, NZ SS national final, Dunedin.

August 30-September 1: Curling, North Island SS, Paradice Avondale. Table tennis, NZ SS championships, Hamilton.

August 30-September 3: Badminton, NZ SS Championships, North Harbour. Hockey, boys, Rankin Cup, Rotorua; India Shield, Nelson; Johnson Cup, Ashburton; Mayhill Cup, Levin; Coaches Cup, Cromwell; Founders Cup, Carterton; Woolaston Trophy, Whangarei; Galletly Cup, Wellington. Girls, Federation Cup, Christchurch; Marie Fry, Palmerston North; Audrey Timlin, Greymouth; Chica Gilmer, Pukekohe; Eveline Hankers, Ngatea; Jenny Hair, Oamaru; Kate Trolove, Taupo, Mary Clinton, Stratford; Rosemary O'Brien, Auckland; Chris Arthur (2nd X1), Wellington. North Island Mixed, Napier. League, NZ SS, Wainuiomata. Netball, Upper North Island, Auckland Netball Centre. Soccer, boys, Lotto Premier, Napier; Rex Dawkins, Papamoa; Jim Wishart, Wairarapa; Linwood, Christchurch; Malcolm Cowie, Whangarei; Trident, New Plymouth. Girls, Lotto Premier, Nelson; Grant Jarvis, Hamilton; Maurice Hulme, Taupo; Gary Sowden, Dunedin; Kathy Seaward, Palmerston North.

August 31-September 4: Basketball, premierships, zone 1 (boys/girls), Trusts Stadium, Henderson; zone two (boys), Counties Manukau; (girls), Tauranga.

September 1-3: Golf, NZ SS junior men/women, Dunedin.

September 2-5: Underwater hockey, NZ SS finals, Tauranga.

September 3-5: Cycling, NZ SS individual championships, East Tamaki/Mt Wellington. Rugby, Top 4 and Co-Ed championships, Rotorua.

September 4-5: Gymsports, NZ SS (aerobics, artistic, rhythmic, trampoline), Mt Roskill. Snowsports, NZ SS, Cardrona.