Cricket: Rep victories
Both Western BOP Blue and Gold teams faced a North Harbour side in 35/35 over matches on Sunday at Fergusson Park and won both games.
A beautifully warm and still day at Fergusson Park saw WBOP Year 7 Blue batting first against the visitors from North Harbour.
After a slow but solid start, WBOP had amassed a very competitive score of 160 for 4 by the end of the 35th over.
Notable innings were played by Jacob Logan (26), Marcel Collett (40no) and Raemon Teke (40no).
All the boys batted well and made the most of playing on the main Fergusson grass wicket.
The North Harbour innings started well but after the first wicket fell with the score on 22, the WBOP side piled on the pressure with some excellent fielding and catching to claim wickets at regular intervals.
North Harbour never really threatened as the WBOP bowlers remained well on top. Wiremu Leef (2 for 8) and Mitchell White (2 for 9) were the main wicket takers.
Harbour ended up on 116 for 9 at the end of the 35th over.
The WBOP Gold team also won its match, but by a narrower margin.
The side batted first and made 144/7 with Max Delaney making 41 not out and Beijch Winter 27.
Harbour put up a good run chase but fell 10 runs short on 134/5, with Louis Robinson taking 2/20.
It was a great day's cricket and helps to prepare the boys for the annual Wanganui Cricket Festival in January.
Tournament success
BOP Coastland continued their unbeaten run at the ND Senior Secondary cricket tournament being played in Gisborne. After wrapping up their two T20 encounters on the opening day, they faced Northland in a 50 over game on day two.
Coastland opening batsman Tom MacRury got his side away to a good start with a gritty 60 runs. Two partnerships of 35 and 53 from Ben Musgrave and Julian Bradley respectively set up the Bay team for a good score.
The Coastland momentum continued with Alex Oakley who posted 49 runs, however a mini-collapse after the number five batsman was dismissed saw the Bay side removed for 177.
The Coastland bowlers warmed to their task from the opening over and had their opponents on a backward foot throughout most of the game.
The team from the far north was in desperate trouble at 120/9, however the Northland tail wagged, with their last two batsmen putting on 39 runs.
The end came when the 10th wicket fell with the score at 159, handing the Bay side a comfortable victory.
The news wasn't so good for the BOP Lakeland side, which was outplayed by Waikato Valley South in its match-up. The Waikato Valley team posted a very respectable 226/8. Trident High School bowler Tom Casey returned 4/53 while Jonty Keaney took 3/31.
In spite of Michael Hargreaves and Jonty Keaney reaching 21 runs apiece, the Lakeland innings fell apart with the Bay side being bowled out for 84.
ND Senior Secondary Cricket Tournament Day Two Results (50 over games)
BOP Coastland 177 (Tom MacRury 60, Alex Oakley 49) defeated Northland 159 (Tim Klyen 3/35, Tom MacRury 2/16, Henry Conway 2/24, James Boyd 2/30)
Waikato Valley South 226/8 (Tom Casey 4/53, Jonty Keaney 3/31) defeated BOP Lakeland 84 (Michael Hargreaves 21, Jonty Keaney 21).
Soccer: New leagues
In 2013 WaiBOP will continue to pave the path from junior to senior football by establishing two more federation youth leagues.
An Under-13 Boys and Under-14 Girls Federation league will both be introduced to complement the current Under-15 and Under-17 Federation Boys leagues.
At the other end of the spectrum, an over 35's social league will also be launched for the veterans of the game.
Age categories for the new youth leagues will align with WaiBOP's regional Federation Talent Centres (FTCs), as well as New Zealand Football's National Talent Centres (NTCs). Alignment will provide the best opportunity to recognise talented players both regionally and nationally.
Less concerned about national recognition, veterans will now have the opportunity to slog it out each week in an over 35's league.
Piloted in Waikato, this league will provide old rivals a chance to relive glory days without the mobility of younger players getting in the way.
Football Development Manager Peter Smith believes the introduction of more youth leagues will help provide a clear pathway for talented young footballers in our region.
"It is an exciting time for youth football in Waikato and Bay of Plenty. We now have the pathway in place to support youth players as they develop into senior footballers."
This year Smith has seen the benefit of a strong youth programme in women's football, with a large contingent of his WaiBOP ASB Women's League team coming through the FTC.
"It was great to see the success of our youth program on a national level. We believe solidifying our youth pathway will give young players the best chance to succeed on the national and international stage."
All federation youth league teams are run by senior football clubs, which will provide a smooth transition from youth to senior football.
For more information about any leagues in Waikato and Bay of Plenty, contact WaiBOP Competitions Manager Peter Arndell peter.a@waibop.co.nz.
Water polo: National medals
Both the Under-14 A girls and boys teams have reason to celebrate after finishing their National Championships in Wellington.
The girls brought home silver and the boys bronze, while Cayne Dew was named Boys MVP and Richard Sneddon, Malia Josephson and Alisha Winstanley all won Most Outstanding player awards.
"It was fantastic for our players to bring home four of the eight player awards on offer," said boys' coach Jordyn Gregory. "Cayne and Richard are big strong guys and I thought fully deserved their awards, but I also think our whole team played really well and we were very glad to win the bronze over Marist (Auckland) after losing the semifinal against North Harbour with just four seconds left in the game.
"They've done so well and I'm looking forward to coaching again next year," said Gregory, herself just 19 years old.
"Jordyn and George Longhurst (assistant coach) have been really committed to this team and done a great job with them," said Club Administrator Dallas Couvee.
The Girls A team, massive underdogs, played a thriller of a final against North Harbour A before losing 7-11.
The first quarter had a packed Huia Pool enthralled as the Tauranga team jumped out to a 4-1 lead based on excellent defence that completely stymied the North Harbour team. Three counter-attack goals and a penalty by Caitlyn Lyttle and Malia Josephson had Harbour rattled and the crowd loved it.
The second quarter was a closer affair with Harbour scoring three goals and Tauranga just one, but at half time we still led 5-4. Harbour, aiming for a sixth straight title, were under pressure. And to be fair to the defending national champions, they responded in the 3rd quarter with five great goals, to lead 9-6 at the start of the 4th quarter.
"It was a really great game, great sport," said coach Paul Kayes. "I told the girls I was very proud of their efforts all season and that it finished with a superb game of water polo. They've improved so much and been a really good group to coach. In all finals in every sport there has to be a loser and it's unfortunate it was us, but the girls played so well and really earned the respect of everyone there. We won silver at Pan Pacs and silver at nationals - a very good year.
"And for Malia and Alisha to both win Player awards was fantastic. We're all looking to seeing the 2013 Under-15 NZ trialists named, as both the boys and girls should be very heavily represented".
Results
Boys
Beat Maranui (Wgtn) 18-10; beat Waitakere Teal 17-5; beat Harbour City Hawks 18-8; beat Wharenui (Chch) 16-6; lost to Marist 7-13; beat North Harbour B 15-3
Semifinal lost 6-7 to North Harbour; beat Marist 12-9 in bronze medal game.
Girls
Beat Hutt (Wgtn) 17-0; beat Marist Red 3-2; beat Mountfort Park 9-5; lost to North Harbour A 2-8; beat Waikato 12-4; semifinal beat Waitakere Gold 7-3; lost final to North Harbour A 7-11.
