Orienteering: Race goes down to wire

Dylan Kirk, of Havelock North High, tries to protect a four-second lead at the final change. Behind him Havelock's Jaime Shadbolt tags Amy Culham. Photo / Cryn Russell

The senior boys' relay provided the excitement at Hawke's Bay schools' orienteering relays on the Kaiwaka map on Sunday.

The relays completed the three days of events that make up the championship for Bay schools.

Archrivals in the senior boys' race, Napier Boys' and Havelock North High, went toe to toe much to the delight of fans.

NBHS set the tone when Bayley Stephens-Ellison gave them a five-minute advantage but Nathan Miller, of HNHS , hauled in their second runner.

Miller tagged his anchor runner, Dylan Kirk, for a four-second advantage over fellow NZ school trialist David Rawnsley (NBHS).

Unknown to most, Kirk and Rawnsley were on the same split, which meant they were running the identical course and an impending head-to-head race.

With two controls to go they emerged, Kirk holding a 10m lead which dissipated to almost nothing at the last control before the 80m uphill finish.

Kirk dived for the finish control to limit his rival's options for a two-second win.

Twenty minutes later the finish for third was a replay.

Fraser Geddes, of NBHS, led into the last control after Mitch Keip (HNHS) hesitated but snapped out of it for a final sprint to clinch third place by a second.

Senior girls' honours went to Napier Girls' High School.

Carolyne Nel started the final leg with a lead fellow national team member Jenna Tidswell (HNHS) couldn't peg back. The three Bay schools will resume their fierce but good-natured rivalry at the nationals in Waikato during next month's holidays.