College sport: Schools dig deep for underwater honours

Mt Albert Grammar School (white caps) battle against Otumoetai College. Photo / Richard Robinson

From a sport regarded as something of an ugly duckling, underwater hockey continues to thrive - hamstrung, it seems, only by a lack of suitable pools.

Even an unwelcome fire alarm which sent competitors scurrying outside in their togs in Auckland's hardly inviting Queen's Birthday weekend weather could not dampen enthusiasm for the players from 12 schools contesting the Northern Zone Championships at Henderson's West Wave Aquatic Centre.

In a quick-fire programme over three days, 33 teams played 136 matches with overall honours shared as MAGS (junior open), Tauranga GC (junior girls), Avondale (senior open) and Diocesan (senior girls) took the titles.

Teams from Tauranga, Otumoetai and Mahurangi joined eight Auckland schools in making it the largest northern championships ever and a far cry from the very early days when the sport struggled for recognition.

But it is no Johnny-come-lately, having been first played in New Zealand in the late 1970s and introduced to Auckland schools in 1984 with Jeanette Bell the driving force.

She remains as enthusiastic as ever in heading the programme at Glendowie College and being poolside as tournament convener at most major tournaments.

"People used to laugh when we talked about underwater hockey as a credible sport," admitted Bell. "But not so much now. New Zealand is regarded as one of the best underwater hockey countries in the world. Last year's 25th jubilee tournament in Christchurch to which we invited 60-plus school teams was the largest underwater hockey tournament in the world."

Internationally, underwater hockey is played over two 30-minute halves with a three-minute break. However the paucity of pool space restricts normal school matches here to 10-minute halves with matches at the weekend tournament reduced even further to nine-minute spells.

Teams are of six players with four poolside substitutes. All players wear caps, a mask/snorkel, fins (flippers), gloves and ear guards. They play with a stick (often wooden) up to 290mm in length and 70mm wide. The 3lb lead puck, wrapped in coloured plastic, is similar to the puck used in ice hockey.

In local competitions girls play in their own grades - junior and open - but often in the junior and senior open teams as well.

Mt Albert Grammar's junior open team continued their winning form, scoring 74 goals (while conceding only three) in taking that title from Otumoetai and showing they remain on course to defend their national title at September's championships in Rotorua.

Avondale were as convincing in taking the senior open title, with Otumoetai again the silver medallists. Last year's national champions, Glendowie, with a new-look team, beat MAGS 2-1 to claim bronze.

Tauranga GC were runaway winners in the junior girls, scoring a massive 90 goals and beating Diocesan 4-3 in the final after beating them 5-2 in the round-robin. Those were the only five goals conceded by Tauranga in the tournament.

Diocesan won the senior girls with a 6-1 win over Glendowie in a replay of last year's bronze match.

The top four teams in each grade win through to the September 2-5 national championships.

HOCKEY

AGS and Kings are again going head-to-head in the Auckland boy's open A championship. Both have won four-from-four, with the Kings' goal-scoring machine giving their team the edge of goal difference.

AGS turned in a lacklustre performance against MAGS before taking a 5-2 win.

The first half was dominated by AGS as they shot to a three-goal advantage inside six minutes as Ash Ramji, James Belz and Seb Buddle had the ball in the MAGS goal.

After that initial 15-minute domination they struggled to retain possession and several threatening MAGS attacks had the AGS defence scrambling. It was not until the stroke of halftime that Belz scored his second to give AGS a 4-0 lead.

The start of the second half was notable for a mini AGS implosion with any form of attack ruined by either over-dribbling or poor decision-making. MAGS deservedly claimed their first goal with a clean reverse stick shot by Cameron Anderson.

Belz struck his first hat-trick for the 1st XI with five minutes to play before Daniel Panchia converted a penalty stroke for MAGS.

Kings, who have averaged better than 11 goals a game in their first four outings, found Pakuranga a tougher test but still got home 6-1.

The girls' open A race promises to be one of the closest in years, with just three points separating the top four teams.

St Cuthberts have 15 points from six games, with Diocesan 1st XI and EGGS - still unbeaten - two points back with a game in hand. Kings, who, like Diocesan have lost once, are another point away.

After a slow start, Diocesan cleared away to beat Macleans 8-0. Their first two goals were scored from penalty corners which followed field goals from Georgeia Gourdie, Victoria MacCulloch and Frances Steel.

Diocesan went further ahead as Gourdie claimed her second goal. Danielle Sutherland scored with a direct hit from a penalty corner for 7-0. Macleans battled without success as Diocesan's invincible goalkeeper Holly Mckinley kept another clean sheet.

Baradene picked up their first win of the season beating a somnolent Diocesan 2nd XI 2-1.

Baradene pieced together some fantastic passes up the right flank throughout the game managing to get into the attacking circle before being shut down by Diocesan captain Elloise Kidd.

Diocesan were awarded four penalty corners in the first half but were unable to beat the strong Baradene defence. After fighting hard for 23 minutes, Baradene broke through to score a messy, but well deserved goal.

In the second half Diocesan goalkeeper and co-captain Madeleine Warren made some spectacular saves but was unable to save a neat penalty corner.

Diocesan's only goal was scored in the last five minutes, with Harriet Steel working the ball in from the 25m line.

Led by a Julia King hat-trick, St Cuthberts overcame a spirited St Kentigern, winning 4-1 after the scores had been locked 1-1 at halftime.

NETBALL

Keen to make their premiership a more keenly contested competition, Auckland Netball have changed the structure to incorporate two sections of six rather than last season's often lop-sided format.

The top three teams in each section will progress to the premier one championship round. The bottom three will play in premier two and chase a top eight placing for next season.

In the key match on Saturday, defending champions MAGS meet Diocesan while 2009 runners-up EGGS face Baradene.

RUGBY

North Harbour: Welcoming the chance to play on the big stage - in the curtain-raiser to North Harbour's win over Japan - 1B leaders Glenfield College stretched their unbeaten run to seven with a come-from-behind 24-13 win over a spirited Long Bay XV.

With no 1A matches, the 1B teams took the limelight.

Hotly-favoured Glenfield were stung early when Long Bay capitalised on some poor handling to scoop the ball up and send Shannon Pelser over in the corner. Alex Russell added the conversion and kicked a penalty for a surprise 10-0 halftime lead.

Glenfield got back into it after the break when Logan MacKinnon dotted down. Carey Auckett converted to close the gap to 10-7 which opened up to 13-7 when Russell kicked a second penalty.

That was the spark Glenfield needed and they charged into the lead soon after when Sililo Palei scored. Further tries to Tema Anitema and Herman Ene (for a bonus point) ensured a more comfortable win than Glenfield might have expected.

In the upset of the round Birkenhead beat Kaipara 15-12 while second-placed Northcote picked up a bonus point in their 34-10 win over Whangaparaoa. Kristin thrashed Albany 61-0.

In the feature 1A game this week Orewa are at home to TGS.

Thames Valley: In the only match of the 1st XV competition Hauraki Plains College scored a convincing win at Waihi College, scoring four early converted tries to lead 28-0 at halftime and then scoring a further two converted tries in the second half on the way to a 42-17 win.

SOCCER

Defending champions MAGS are back to within a point of AGS at the top of the premier league table following their hard-fought 2-0 home catch-up win over much-improved Rangitoto.

Without a couple of regulars for the Queen's Birthday weekend clash, MAGS won on the back of a Jordan Vale goal in each half - the first from a re-taken penalty early in the match.

Awarded a controversial penalty, MAGS goalkeeper Patrick George strode forward but Rangitoto goalkeeper Andrew Van Stipriaan dived the right way and saved only to have his effort wiped out when referee Neil Tobin ruled a defender had encroached. Vale relieved George at the spot and hit home.

In the 85th minute Vale picked up a cross from Connor Lynch and set himself to score for 2-0. Van Stipriaan then blasted a goal-kick into the face of his own defender Jordon Mia who collapsed and was stretchered off and sent to hospital.

Rangitoto do not have to wait long for revenge as the teams meet at Rangitoto on Saturday week.

In the key clash on Saturday Rangitoto are at home to St Peters while Kings and WBHS will attempt to get their season back on track in home games against AGS and Sacred Heart, respectively.

COMING UP

TODAY: Hockey, Auckland boys, open A, Pakuranga v Macleans, LEP 1 4.30pm, MAGS v St Peters, AGS 5.40pm, St Kentigern v Kings, LEP 1 5.45pm, AGS 1 v AGS 2, AGS 6.50pm. Open B, MRGS v AGS 3, AGS 4.30pm, Avondale v Liston, Avondale 5.30pm, KBHS v Kings 2, Kings 6pm, Botany Downs bye. North Harbour, grade one boys (all North Harbour Hockey Stadium), Massey v TGS 5pm, WBHS 1 v Long Bay 5pm, Kristin v Rangitoto 6pm, WBHS 2 v Rosmini 6pm.

League (4pm, home teams first), University Shield 1st XIII, pool A, Aorere v Mangere, James Cook v Papakura, Manurewa v Otahuhu, Hillary v Southern Cross. Pool B, KBHS v MAGS, Papatoetoe v St Pauls, Massey, Avondale byes. Under-15 (9-aside), pool A, Avondale v MAGS, One Tree Hill v Rutherford, St Pauls v Hato Petera. Pool B, Manurewa v Papatoetoe, Aorere A v Howick, Hillary A v Aorere B. College A (under-85kg), Auckland 7th Day Adventist v Lynfield, Manukau Rovers, MRGS v Aorere, Southern Cross v St Pauls, Tamaki bye.

Netball, Counties Manukau (all 5.05pm, Papakura Netball Centre), Rosehill v Alfriston, Papatoetoe HS v Manurewa, James Cook v Pukekohe, McAuley v Sir Edmund Hillary.

Soccer, premier league (catch-up), Kristin v WBHS 3.30pm. Girls, Central (4pm), premier one, EGGS v Marist, MAGS v Diocesan, Avondale v St Kentigern, Glendowie bye. Premier two, Rutherford v AGGS, St Cuthberts v EGGS 2, Seymour Park, Rutherford v Baradene. North harbour (4pm), Carmel v Whangaparaoa, Hato Petera, Rangitoto v TGS, Northcote v WGHS. Counties Manukau premier, Howick v Pakuranga, Papatoetoe v Rosehill, Macleans v Manurewa, Sancta Maria v Alfriston, Pukekohe bye.

TOMORROW: Curling, Paradice Avondale, round five, EGGS Smirnova v Henderson Taylor, Massey Mixed v Birkenhead Adviento, Massey Powlesland v Green Bay Clemett, EGGS Kwon v EGGS Putts.

Hockey, Auckland girls open A, EGGS v Diocesan 2, AGS 4pm, Baradene v Macleans, AGS 5.15pm, St Cuthberts v Kings, Kings 6pm, Diocesan 1 v St Kentigern LEP 1 7pm, MAGS bye. Open B, St Cuthberts 2 v Marist, St Cuthberts 4pm, Avondale v MRGS, Avondale 5pm, St Cuthberts 3 v St Marys, LEP 5pm, Pakuranga v KGHS, LEP 1 6pm. North Harbour grade one girls (all North Harbour Hockey Stadium), pool A, TGS v Kingsway 5pm, Rangitoto 1 v Carmel 6pm. Pool B, Northcote v Rangitoto 2 6pm, WGHS v Kristin 7pm. Non-comp, Massey v Mahurangi 5pm.

Lacrosse Auckland SS girls (4pm, home team first) division one, Avondale v EGGS, MAGS v AGGS, Whangaparaoa v WGHS, Diocesan bye. Division two, AGGS v Whangaparaoa, St Marys v Avondale, Western Springs v Pinehurst, Diocesan v MAGS.

League, girls quarter-finals (4pm) Manurewa v Tamaki, McAuley v James Cook, Mangere v Sir Edmund Hillary.

FRIDAY: Basketball, premier girls (6pm) end of first round, Avondale v AGGS, Avondale, Diocesan v St Cuthberts, Dilworth, Kristin v Rangitoto, Kristin, MAGS v Massey, MAGS. Premier boys (7.30pm), Avondale v Onehunga, Avondale, Dilworth v AGS, Dilworth, WBHS v Rangitoto, Kristin, MAGS v KBHS, MAGS.

Lawn bowls, Counties Manukau boy's singles, Pukekohe 9am.

Squash, premier girls (4pm), EGGS v MAGS, Eden Epsom SC, Diocesan v WGHS, Unitec 3, Rosehill bye. Premier boys (4pm), division one (start round two), AGS 1 v AGS 2, AGS, MAGS v Kings, MAGS, St Kentigern v WBHS, St Kentigern. Division two, Onehunga v Orewa, Unitec 1, Glenfield v Glendowie, Remuera, Sacred Heart bye.

SATURDAY: Netball, North Harbour, premiers, section one, Northcote v Kristin 9am, WGHS 1 v TGS 9.45am, Rangitoto 2 v Long Bay 2 9.45am. Section two, Rangitoto 1 v Pinehurst 10.30am, Carmel 1 v WGHS 2 10.30am, Long Bay 1 v Carmel 2 10.30am. Auckland, premier, section one, AGGS v Pakuranga 9.30am, Botany Downs v St Kentigern 9.30am, Diocesan v MAGS 10.30am. Section two, Avondale v St Cuthberts 10.30am, Baradene v EGGS 10.30am, Macleans v MRGS 9.30am.

Rugby, Auckland 1A (2.30pm, home team first), Aorere v St Kentigern, KBHS v Otahuhu, Kings v AGS, Sacred Heart v De La Salle, St Peters v Tamaki, Tangaroa v MAGS. 1B (final round), pool one, Edgewater v Dilworth, Hillary v Papatoetoe, One Tree Hill v Avondale, St Pauls v Marcellin. Pool two, Liston v MRGS, Mangere v Macleans, Onehunga v Botany Downs, Waitakere v Howick. North Harbour (noon), 1A, Orewa v TGS, Rosmini v Mahurangi, Rangitoto v Massey HS, WBHS bye. 1B, Glenfield v Kaipara, Hato Petera v Birkenhead, Kingsway v Albany, Kristin v Northcote, Whangaparaoa v Long Bay. Counties Manukau, Pukekohe v Wesley 2nd XV noon, James Cook v Manurewa, Mountfort Park 1pm, Wesley 1st XV bye.

Soccer, Auckland, premier (noon, home team first), MAGS v Kristin, WBHS v Sacred Heart, Kings v AGS, Rangitoto v St Peters. Senior A1 (noon), Macleans v St Kentigern, Northcote v Liston, Glendowie v Avondale, Onehunga v KBHS. A2 (10am), Massey v Long Bay, TGS v MRGS, Glenfield v Rosmini, Papatoetoe v Pakuranga. A3 (10am), Howick v Lynfield, One Tree Hill v Whangaparaoa, Botany Downs v Green Bay, Rutherford v Selwyn. A4 (10am), Otahuhu v Sancta Maria, Waitakere v Mahurangi, Dilworth v Parnell, Birkenhead v Henderson.

SUNDAY: Cycling, Avanti Plus time trials (round three), Teal Park, Tamaki Drive 6.30am.

TUESDAY: Lawn bowls, North Harbour boys/girls, singles/pairs, Orewa BC.

TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY (June 16): Squash, Auckland SS teams, various venues.

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