College Sport: MAGS capture title despite defeat

Amit Dhadwal scored an unbeaten 114 for MAGS against Westlake. Photo / Greg Bowker

Not without a good deal of confusion, MAGS claimed the Auckland premier cricket two-day championship for the first time in 35 years despite losing their last game of the year.

Initially it was ruled MAGS and AGS had shared the title as Auckland Grammar got up to tie their home match with St Kentigern after AGS had taken a 98-run lead on the first innings.

It was later learned that the first innings result only counted as AGS had not won outright. If they had, and it went down to the last ball, AGS would have claimed another championship.

Resuming at 35/2 in their chase for the 254 scored on the first day by WBHS, MAGS quickly slumped to 103/6 at lunch. Their hopes of a first innings lead depended on Amit Dhadwal.

He played his part in being unbeaten on 114 and shared in a key partnership with Jordan Dashfield. They added 99 runs before the afternoon drinks break but their stand ended five runs later.

When the last three wicks fell for the addition of just 22 runs, MAGS had slumped to their first loss of the season which had already produced wins in the one-day championship and Knockout Cup.

As soon as that game ended, with Brett Bakkerus claiming 5-42 as the visitors fell 26 runs short of their target, the MAGS players headed to Auckland Grammar to watch that drama unfold.

After dismissing St Kentigern for a much-improved 229 in their second innings, the Auckland Grammar openers strode to the crease with their team needing to score 132 from 18 overs to claim not only outright points but the championship as well.

On paper the target did not appear too onerous but the loss of wickets and a steady flow of runs had the match in the balance.

At the start of the last over AGS needed seven runs and the visitors two wickets for outright points.

It got down to the last ball with one run and one wicket required. A run out ended both team's hopes and the match was tied - much to the delight of the band of MAGS' players and supporters.

For long-time MAGS coach Tony Sail it was just reward for the hard work put in at the school.

At Rosmini, Sacred Heart resumed their first innings at 116/4, still shy of Rosmini's first innings 167. Led by the prolific Glen Phillips (59) and support from Tom Ritchie (46 not out), the visitors reached 218 for the loss of only one further wicket.

Batting a second time, Rosmini, with runs from Kieran Seedall (74), Simon Rajwer (40) and Alex Durand (30), posted 216 to leave Sacred Heart needing 167 to win from 23 overs.

They lost seven wickets along the way as Connor Ridge capped a good match in claiming 5-39 but that was not enough as the visitors reached 166/7 with one over to spare.

King's can now contemplate a return to the champion grade next year after their 42-run win over St Peter's.

Chasing the 254 scored by King's on the first day and resuming at 110/7, St Peter's batted to within 41 runs of their target in scoring 214.

King's batted for a second time and, led by 138 from Tristan Payle, posted 216/4 declared leaving the home team 256 for outright victory. They reached 204 but that was not enough and King's claimed the points and the championship plate.

Rangitoto had a chance to claim the honours but things came unstuck after they had played themselves into a strong position by claiming first innings points from Macleans.

After dismissing Macleans for 125 the home team struggled to reach 149 despite a Ullrich Boshoff half-century and a useful 31 from Isaac Snell in the face of some steady leg-spin bowling from Kanav Dogra who bagged 5-35 from 6.1 overs and good wicketkeeping by Adam Baard.

Needing 178 from 40 overs, Macleans lost two quick wickets but an unbeaten 60 from Liam Winn eventually got his team home.

Results

Atheltics

Dual meets, Millennium Stadium, final preliminary round, boys

Pinehurst 81 Orewa 73. Girls, Carmel 101 Orewa 62

Cricket

Premier A, two-day championship, final round

Rosmini 167 and 216 (Kieran Seedall 74, Simon Rajwer 40, Alex Durand 30) lost to Sacred Heart 218/5 dec (Glen Phillips 59, Tom Ritchie 46no) and 166/7 (Connor Ridge 5-39) outright by three wickets.

WBHS 254 beat MAGS 229 (Amit Dhadwal 114no, Jordan Dashfield 49; Brett Bakkerus 5-42) on 1st innings.

St Kentigern 115 and 229 (Anubhav Thapa 77, Jeremy Myers 39; James Belz 5-73) lost to AGS 213/6dec and 131/9 (George Hollingsworth 4-41) on 1st innings.

Final points: MAGS 15, AGS 13, St Kentigern 8, Sacred Heart 8, WBHS 4, Rosmini 2.

Premier A, two-day plate, final round

Avondale 159 beat KBHS 123 on 1st innings (matched abandoned, no play day two).

Rangitoto 154 and 149 (Ullrich Bosoff 53, Isaac Snell 42; Kanav Dogra 5-35) lost to Macleans 125 and 179 (Liam Winn 60no; Nathan Banks 3-31) outright by one run (Rangitoto 1st innings points).

Kings 254 and 216/4dec (Tristan Payle 138) beat St Peters 214 and 204 outright by 42 runs.

Final points: Kings 15, Rangitoto 12, Avondale 7, KBHS, Macleans 6, St Peters 4.

Softball

Junior Greater Auckland, girls

Central: MAGS 16 Lynfield 0; EGGS 10 Onehunga 7; One Tree Hill 8 Marist 4; EGGS 3 Marist 1; MAGS 7 Onehunga 4; Lynfield 2 Selwyn 2.

Southern: McAuley 1 Southern Cross 0.

Water polo

Junior boys

A grade, semifinals/finals: St Peters A 12 Kings 2; Sacred Heart 11 MAGS A 8; Rangitoto 4 AGS 3. Bottom four, round-robin: Green Bay 9 St Kentigern 3; WBHS A 8 Kristin 3.

Pool C and finals: Parnell 8 Glendowie 3; MAGS B 4 Macleans 1; St Peters 5 St Kentigern B 4.

Pool C and F finals: Sacred Heart B 7 AGS B 3.

Pool D and E finals: Western Springs default to Avondale; TGS 8 Liston 2; Long Bay 9 WBHS B 3.

C grade pool G: MRGS 13 Massey 2; Sacred Heart 5 AGS C 4; Lynfield 6 Kings 2.

Girls

A Grade: St Marys 5 EGGS 3; Diocesan 15 Marist 0; St Cuthberts 13 Glendowie 1; St Kentigern 6 WGHS 2; Diocesan 4 EGGS 4; Baradene 13 Glendowie 2.

B Grade: St Marys 7 Green Bay 2; Long Bay 13 MAGS 0; Western Springs 4 EGGS 2.