College sport: Sound win gives Grammar decisive advantage

Auckland Grammar lead the Auckland 1A championship after a convincing 34-0 win over Tangaroa College.

The team collected a bonus point win and have a two-point advantage on the championship table over St Peter's College, who had a 25-8 win over De La Salle.

Playing on a heavy track, Tangaroa competed well at the breakdown, regularly slowing or turning over Grammar ball. When player-of-the-day Grammar's Mairu Grace cut through the defence, winger Joe Glamuzina added a classy finish.

Unhappy with their 10-0 advantage at the break, Grammar forwards showed strong driving play in the second spell with a try to Kurt Eklund, converted beautifully by Hitchcock. Konileti Hurrell was next to score then Isaia Mulitalo crossed in the corner after a neat move from the scrum. Others to shine were David Adams, Nili Moala and Andy Cartwright.

Grammar will now focus on this Saturday's big game against King's College, which had a narrow 18-11 loss to Kelston Boys.

St Kentigern defeated Tamaki College 23-13. St Kentigern College benefited from three penalty goals to open a useful lead. Tamaki kicked a penalty late in the half to give a score of 9-3 to St Kentigern at the break.

MAGs pushed into the top four with a convincing 49-7 win over St Pauls. MAGS led 15-7 at halftime before pulling away in the second spell.

St Peter's moved to second on the table with a comprehensive win against De La Salle. St Peter's jumped to a 15-0 lead with tries to Ben Lam and DJ Solomona. Bryn Hall added a conversion and penalty. De La Salle got on the board with a penalty goal from first five Tim Lafaele. In the second half Solomona scored his second try. De La Salle responded with a try from flanker Michael Paulo. A bonus point try to Daniel Coll sealed St Peter's first win over De La Salle in five years.

Sacred Heart kept their hopes of a top four place alive with a 7-3 win over Aorere College. Just a point separates Sacred Heart (18) and Aorere (19).

NORTH HARBOUR

Hosts Rosmini ground out an important 18-0 victory over a brave Takapuna side in the 1A match of the round on Saturday to keep the pressure on competition leaders Massey.

Rosmini dominated the first half to pin Takapuna in their own half with first five-eighths Gareth Anscombe consistently kicking for the corners.

In the second half Takapuna came out firing, with locks Andy Gentles and William Godfrey prominent. Strong work at the breakdown from Tao Commissaris and loosehead prop Tyler Golightly enabled them to regain dominance. Rosmini snatched a turnover 25m out and fullback Rodrigo Costa scored the first try. Up 13-0 Rosmini's James Siake and Anscombe made breaks with the latter leading to winger Patty Clarke scooting over in the corner. Anscombe kicked the conversion, 18-0.

Long Bay kept their place at the top of the 1B table with a close-fought struggle over Kristin 8-7. Long Bay led by 5-0 at halftime with a try to player-of-the-day winger Robert Cole.

Kristin started the second half with inspirational first five William Mushet dictating play. With only a few minutes to go Kristin prop Nathan Warin scored and William Mushet converted with a superb kick from the sideline.

Westlake were too strong for Rangitoto 42-10. Rangitoto hung in to keep the score down to 11-7 at halftime, but Westlake took control with outstanding hooker Steven Hong scoring two tries and in-form fullback Dylan Ferreira scoring a try and kicking two penalties and a conversion.

Orewa lifted their team game to score three tries in the last 20 minutes to beat Northcote 38-8, the halftime score being 13-3 to Orewa.

Kaipara, with a 29-12 win over Hato Petera, will provide strong competition for Long Bay and Kristin in the second round beginning this weekend. Kaipara move into second on the 1B table ahead of Kristin and Glenfield.

1A competition leaders Massey dominated Mahurangi winning 53-8, going on from a halftime score of 24-8. Massey grabbed nine tries with Sam Aolele bagging two, and Tony Keresoma, Tyler Casey, Sofeni Aumau, Matthew Peteru-Sepu , Leti Tago and Riannaba Riannaba scoring one each. Winger Jonah Luatua was also rewarded with a try.

Birkenhead outgunned Whangaparaoa by 39-12. Whangaparaoa's Sean Wills and Jordan Campion managed tries, with first five Tamati Galvin kicking a conversion.

Glenfield dominated Kingsway 65-14, scoring 11 tries. Glenfield winger Paul Samuels and centre Elias Sila scored three tries each, and left wing Kevin Ulberg grabbed two tries, with first five Carey Auckett managing conversions.

Kingsway prop Ethan Baber and No 8 Tomasi Tawakilai were outstanding with Tomasi being rewarded with a try, second five Leon Lysaght picking up a try and first five Ethan Neville kicking two conversions.