College sport: Schools keen on Rugby Channel showcase

Mt Albert Grammar man of the match Ngana Lu'au tries to tackle Kelston Boys High School's Junior Tofa Va'a during their 1st XV match on Saturday. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The chance to showcase their school on the rugby field has already led to a number of schools putting their hands up for televised matches next winter.

The introduction of first XV matches to a new weekly slot on Sky TV's Rugby Channel has been a resounding success with heightened interest in the competitive arena.

"The feedback has been really positive," said Rugby Channel chief Martin Crowe. "We have been lucky so far with good crowds, good weather and by and large great rugby. With one exception - and schools rugby tends to go in cycles - the games have been close which has added to the excitement."

There has been a positive spin for Sky with a 15 per cent increase in the number of subscribers taking advantage of this month's half-price special of just $4.

Crowe said that once this winter's schedule was published there were schools wanting their turn next year.

"We are keen to give all regions a fair run over a three-year period," said Crowe. "Kelston Boys' High missed out this time but they will definitely get a run next season. Gisborne were the first to ask about next year and we will also look at the game between Waitaki Boys' High and Timaru - a traditional clash that goes back further than almost any in the country."

So far matches in Auckland, Waikato and North Harbour have been shown.

This week another of the traditional fixtures - between Otago BHS (who have produced 21 All Blacks) and Southland BHS (slightly ahead with 23) at the historic Littleborn ground, a fixture played 96 times since 1902 - will be shown followed a week later by another always hotly contested clash between St Pat's Silverstream and Wellington College.

"Everyone has acknowledged we are off to a good start. The schools have presented their grounds in immaculate condition with wide white lines as we have requested," said Crowe. "The best referees have been officiating and there has been good running rugby.

"We are having a lot of fun," said Crowe. "Keith Quinn, who is anchoring our commentary team, is loving his involvement. He is getting right behind it with all the historical stuff. By using the two-caller system he is able to give plenty of background."

Sky are planning to show a match a week for 20 weeks with Hamilton Boys' High, recently back from their world championship win in Japan, certain to figure in the end of season top four play-offs.

BASKETBALL

Sparked by an amazing 18 points, of 31, from Shaquille Wilson in the first quarter, WBHS were always in control of their premier boys' match against Dilworth on Friday night.

WBHS added another 17 points in the second quarter to take a commanding 48-33 lead. Well supported by Wade Brownlee, Wilson went on to score a match-high 22 points despite a gritty effort from Dilworth who never gave up in their effort to close the gap which stretched to 85-68 at the finish.

RUGBY

AUCKLAND

Beaten 14-0 by Kelston BHS in the same fixture last season, MAGS headed west intent on revenge in their toughest test in the opening weeks of the 2010 1A championship. In the end they came from behind to do it.

The home side wasted no time in taking it to the MAGS pack but could not turn that pressure into points and the visitors gradually clawed away from their own line and eventually set up Gafatasi Su'a for the opening try which Matt McGahan converted. KBHS hit back soon after with a penalty.

There was better to come for the home side when they crossed for a well-worked try. The conversion gave KBHS a 10-7 lead. The give-and-take continued with Michael Faleafa crossing for a try. McGahan's conversion gave the visitors a 14-10 lead which was reduced to 14-13 before the break.

MAGS stretched that to 21-13 with a Michael Fatialofa try - and McGahan conversion - before KBHS again replied with a penalty.

Chasing a bonus point fourth try, MAGS eventually snatched that when Dillon Halaholo capped a good break from man of the match Ngana Lu'au by scoring. Dead-eye McGahan again added the extras.

Living up to its promise of being a tight affair, De La Salle, making the most of their chances, beat high-flying Tamaki College 13-7 after leading 7-0 at halftime. That lead was stretched to 10-0 with a Fomai Ah Ki penalty.

Tamaki hit back to close the gap when Viliami Puafisi capped a sustained attack to score a try. The conversion closed the gap to 10-7 before Ah Ki kicked a second penalty for a final 13-7 win after Tamaki's end to end late attack fell just short of the De La Salle line.

In the battle for the Hibernian Shield - the symbol of supremacy among Auckland Catholic schools - St Peters overcame an early setback to beat Sacred Heart 28-11, collecting a bonus point for their efforts.

Jack Halpin kicked an early penalty for Sacred Heart but converted tries for prop Conrad Lam and first-five Michigan Lam had St Peters 14-3 ahead at the break.

Michigan Lam scored a second try and centre DJ Solomona put in a great individual effort for a 28-6 lead which was reduced when Conrad Ullrich grabbed a late consolation try for Sacred Heart.

NORTH HARBOUR

Fired up by a rousing haka from their supporters, WBHS made the early running in the televised match of the day against old rivals Rosmini College eventually getting home 24-18, scoring four tries to two to claim the coveted Takapuna Rugby Club Cup.

Sam Viskovich capped that early domination by driving over for the opening try but that advantage was quickly in danger of being lost as they conceded too many penalties with Rodrigo Costa converting two of three such opportunities.

But after weathering the storm, including 10 minutes with a player in the sin bin, WBHS had the last say of the first half when a damaging run by prop Graeme Tu'inukuafe led to a try for captain Jordan Manihera. Ben Botica's second conversion gave his team a 14-6 halftime lead.

The home side also had the first say in the second half with Sam Quinn crossing for his team's third try and a 19-6 lead. Sparked by Kenny Niko, Rosmini mounted their charge and closed to within a point on the back of converted tries from Costa and Niko before man of the match Tu'inukuafe had the final say when he dotted down to ensure the points for the hosts.

Elsewhere, Orewa thumped neighbours Mahurangi 44-5 in Warkworth and Takapuna just beat Rangitoto 8-3 in a close one at TGS.

Massey, who had the bye, feature in this week's game of the round when they visit Rosmini.

In the 1B championship Glenfield scored their fourth bonus point win of the season with a big win over Hato Petera to go two points clear of Northcote who have also won their opening four games.

WAIKATO

St John's College produced their best form of the season to convincingly beat Fraser High School 46-0. St John's dominated their opponents throughout the match and scored seven unanswered tries. St Peter's School maintained their unbeaten record with a 43-3 win over Morrinsville College, while St Paul's Collegiate were similarly dominant against Cambridge High School, winning 55-7.

THAMES VALLEY

A 23-14 away win over nearest rivals Hauraki Plains College has taken Mercury Bay Area School into a clear lead after four rounds in the 1st XV competition.

Mercury Bay's talented second five-eighth Regan Crosland scored a try, conversion and two penalty goals for his side and has now scored at least one try in each of the four games played this season.

SOCCER

It has been a memorable week for the AGS first XI.

In a premier league game brought forward and played as a midweek fixture to allow both teams to play Chatham Cup matches on Saturday, AGS beat arch-rivals MAGS 4-2 to stretch their lead to a handy six points. They followed that with a 9-0 Chatham Cup romp over Te Puke and in New Plymouth yesterday they beat NPBHS 4-3 in the annual fixture.

And, to cap their good on-field efforts, they were rewarded with a second-round Chatham Cup home tie against Northern first division side Onehunga Mangere.

COMING UP

TODAY: Badminton, North Harbour, senior A/B girls (4pm), Northcote 4 v WGHS 7, WGHS 1 v Long Bay, WGHS 4 v Albany 2, Kristin 3 v Northcote 1, Northcote 2 v WGHS 5, Kristin 4 v Glenfield 1, WGHS 3 v TGS 1, Kristin 1 v Northcote 3, Albany 1 v WGHS 6, Kristin 2 v Birkenhead 1.

Hockey, Auckland, boy's open A, AGS 1 v St Peters, AGS 5.40pm, Macleans v St Kentigern, LEP 1 6pm, Kings v MAGS, Kings 6pm, AGS 2 v Pakuranga, AGS 6.50pm. Open B, KBHS v MRGS, MRGS 4.30pm, Kings 2 v Liston, Kings 4.45pm, Botany Downs v Avondale, Avondale, AGS 3 bye. North Harbour, grade one boys, Rangitoto v Long Bay, Rangitoto 5pm, WBHS 1 v WBHS 2, Crown 1 5pm, Rosmini v Massey, Crown 1 6pm, TGS v Kristin, Crown 2 6pm.

League (4pm, home team first), University Shield 1st X111, pool A, Otahuhu v Mangere, James Cook v Aorere, Manurewa v Sir Edmund Hillary, Southern Cross v Papakura. Pool B, Avondale v MAGS, Massey v KBHS, One Tree Hill v Papatoetoe, St Pauls bye. Under-15 (9-aside), pool A, Hato Petera v MAGS, One Tree Hill v Avondale, Rutherford v St Pauls. Pool B, Aorere A v Manurewa, Howick v Aorere B, Papatoetoe v Sir Edmund Hillary B, Sir Edmund Hillary A bye. College A (under-85kg), Auckland 7th Day Adventist v MRGS, Manukau Rovers, St Pauls v Aorere, Tamaki v Southern Cross, Lynfield bye.

Soccer, girls (4pm), Auckland Central, premier one (under-19), Diocesan v Marist, Glendowie v EGGS, MAGS v Avondale, St Kentigern bye. Premier two, AGGS v Baradene, Cox's Bay 4, EGGS v Massey, Rutherford v St Cuthberts. North Harbour premier, Carmel v Northcote, Hato Petera, Rangitoto v WGHS, Whangaparaoa v TGS. Counties Manukau premier, Rosehill v Alfriston, Manurewa v Papatoetoe, Pukekohe v Howick, Macleans v Sancta Maria, Pakuranga bye.

TOMORROW: Hockey, Auckland, open A, MAGS v Diocesan 1, AGS 4pm, EGGS v Baradene, AGS 5.15pm, Kings v Macleans, Kings 6pm, Diocesan 2 v St Cuthberts, LEP 1 7pm, St Kentigern bye. Open B, St Cuthberts 3 v Avondale, St Cuthberts 4pm, KGHS v St Marys, Avondale 5pm, MRGS v Marist, MRGS 5.30pm, Pakuranga v St Cuthberts 2, LEP 1 6pm. North Harbour, grade one girls, Carmel v Massey, Crown 1 5pm, Rangitoto 1 v Kingsway, Rangitoto 6pm, WGHS v Rangitoto 2, Crown 1 6pm, Kristin v Mahurangi, Kristin 6pm, TGS v Northcote (non-comp), Crown 2 5pm.

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

League, Auckland girls (4pm, home team first), James Cook v Mangere, Manurewa v Sir Edmund Hillary, Tamaki v McAuley.

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

Squash, premier girls (4pm), EGGS v Kings, Kings, MAGS v Diocesan, Eden Epsom SC, Glenfield bye. Premier boys (4pm), division one, MAGS v Glendowie, MAGS, Kings v WBHS, North Shore SC, AGS v Sacred Heart, AGS. Division two, Glenfield v Orewa, Red Beach SC, Onehunga v TGS, Unitec, St Kentigern v AGS, St Kentigern.

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

Soccer: Premier League (noon, home team first), MAGS v WBHS, St Peters v Kristin, Kings v Sacred Heart, Rangitoto v AGS. Senior A1 (noon), Macleans v Liston, St Kentigern v Avondale, Glendowie v KBHS, Onehunga v Northcote. A2 (10am), Massey v MRGS, Long Bay v Rosmini, Glenfield v Pakuranga, Papatoetoe v TGS. A3 (10am), Howick v Whangaparaoa, Lynfield v Green Bay, Botany Downs v Selwyn, Rutherfor4d v One Tree Hill. A4 (10am), Otahuhu v Mahurangi, Sancta Maria v Dilworth, Henderson v Parnell, Birkenhead v Waitakere.

SUNDAY: Cycling, Avanti team time trials, Teal Park, Auckland waterfront, round two, from 6.30am.

MONDAY: Badminton, North Harbour, senior A boys (4pm), WBHS 2 v Rosmini 1, Glenfield 1 v WBHS 3, WBHS 1 v WBHS 4, Rangitoto 1 v Rangitoto 2, TGS 1 v Albany 1.

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