10 Minute Sport: Golf streaks, Home-court winners

Golf: Munn streaks away

Superb Manawatu amateur Joshua Munn, pictured below, made no race of the weekend's Bay of Plenty Open at Whakatane, carding two sub-par rounds on the final day on Sunday to finish 10-under for the 72 holes to win by three shots.

Munn opened with a five-under-par 65 in round one to lead by two and backed it up with an even-par 70 second round to lead Ngaruawahia's Luke Toomey by a shot up midway through the tournament, with the 36-hole cut made at 11-over-par for the men and 23-over for the women.

Munn, 21, who won last year's Muriwai Open on the Charles Tour, streaked away with it on Sunday, posting a four-under 66 in the morning and a 69 in his final round.

Toomey was alone in second on 272 after rounds of 69, 67, 68 and 69, two shots clear of Akarana's Jonny Ratcliffe on 274 (68, 67, 68, 72).

In the women's event Waikato rep Sarah Bradley fired a two-over 74 in the final round to win her first title since returning home from a golf scholarship in the United States. The New Zealand rep had rounds of 81, 74, 76 and 74 for a 17-over total to win by two shots from Bay of Plenty rep Grace Senior. Auckland golfer Joanna Kim finished third while Susan Lines and the round one leader Brittney Dryland shared fourth place.

In the Masters division Omanu golfer Justin Rasmussen shot a six-over 76 in the final round but it didn't matter as he held on to win by six shots from Blair Murdock (Tauranga) who carded a 71 to finish runner-up. Roy Hollick (Pakuranga) and the round one leader Warren Steward (Mt Maunganui) finished in a share of third place.

Bay of Plenty Open leading scores:

Open men:

270: Josh Munn (Manawatu) 65 70 66 69

273: Luke Toomey (Ngaruawahia) 69 67 68 69

275: Jonny Ratcliffe (Akarana) 68 67 68 72

276: Sam An (Titirangi) 68 69 70 69

279: Nick Coxon (Hamilton) 70 70 69 70

280: Victor Janin (Rotorua) 71 68 70 71

281: Blair Riordan (Takaka) 74 68 69 70, Duncan Croudis (Otago) 69 72 73 67.

282: William Howard (Rotorua) 73 70 67 72

283: Brad Kendall (Mt Maunganui) 73 68 69 73, Hojun Sung (Hamilton GC) 69 73 69 72, Tae Koh (Manukau) 68 7173 71.

Women:

305: Sarah Bradley (Cambridge) 81 74 76 74

307: Grace Senior (Tauranga) 76 77 76 78

311: Joanna Kim (Manukau) 76 79 78 78

320: Susan Lines (Te Teko) 78 80 80 82, Brittney Dryland (Titirangi) 74 83 84 79

Masters:

290: Justin Rasmussen (Omanu) 73 68 73 76

296: Blair Murdock (Tauranga) 73 78 74 71

300: Roy Hollick (Pakuranga) 73 72 79 76, Warren Steward (Mt Maunganui) 72 75 79 74

Volleyball: Home-court winners

Tauranga's women's volleyball team used home court advantage to best effect to eke out a successful weekend against national champions Manukau South in Saturday's Northern League clash at the QEII Youth Centre.

Tauranga B started slowly against Manukau South B, winning a close first set 25-22, but then ran away with the game 25-17 25-7. Kylie Rae and Alice Bain hit well for Tauranga with young Kerryn Schroder setting up play well.

Tauranga B will be contesting division two at the national club championships in Nelson in two weeks after finishing as third qualifier in last weekend's tournament, with only the two teams qualifying for the first division. On current form Tauranga B will be competitive in the second tier.

Tauranga A came up against arch rivals Manukau South A and secured a long-overdue win. The first set was an arm-wrestle, with the visitors winning 26-24. Tauranga then made a couple of positional changes, and playing more controlled volleyball, won the next two sets 25-14, 25-17.

Manukau also then changed their lineup, and with Tauranga starting the fourth set poorly, won it 25-19. But the hosts bounced back to start the fifth set positively and reach the changeover 8-3 up and after that never looked back, taking the set 15-11 and the match 3-2.

Psychologically this was a great boost for the Tauranga team two weeks out from the national champs. Simone Head and Lisa Claassen hit and passed well, with Kim Wiersma an effective blocker through the middle. Carly Hona heralded her return to volleyball with a fine game at opposite. Young Bethlehem College setter Sally Davenport also had one of her best games for Tauranga and must have been unlucky to miss out on selection for the New Zealand under-19 team.

The teams have one last set of games in Auckland before they leave for Nelson.

Northern League:

Women:

In Tauranga: Reserves: Tauranga b Manukau South 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-7); Tauranga b Harbour/Waitakere 3-0. Premiers: Tauranga b Manukau South 3-2 ( 24-26, 25-14, 25-17, 19-25,15-11); Tauranga b Harbour/Waitakere 3-0.

Premiers: Sparta b South Auckland 3-1 (25-23,15-15,25-15,25-21); Sparta b Hamilton 3-0 (25-23,25-15,25-21); South Auckland b Hamilton 3-2 (27-29, 16-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-12)

Men:

Reserves: Sparta b Harbour Raiders B 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25-25-14); Harbour Raiders A b Hamilton 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-22). Premiers: Harbour Raiders A b Hamilton 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-15), Harbour Raiders B b Sparta 3-2 (25-20, 25-22, 19-25, 20-25, 15-10).

Football: Rotorua Utd win

Rotorua United had a crucial 4-1 win over AFC Fury in the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Federation football first division as the battle at the bottom of the league continues. At the top Taupo and Claudelands Rovers are still separated by just a single point.

At Neil Hunt Park, Rotorua started nervously against Fury and should have been a goal down in the fifth minute when untidy defence presented the visitors with a open goal. With keeper Andrew Gibbs beaten the ball was heading for the net, but Fury's celebrations were cut short when one of their players got in the way and "saved" it on the line.

The slice of luck was what United needed to settle their nerves and they took the lead shortly after with a goal from Ben McLean.

Fury converted a penalty in the 10th minute to make it 1-1, but to the relief of the United supporters Josh O'Sullivan scored to give them a 2-1 lead at the break.

United had the better of the second spell and O'Sullivan gave them some breathing space when he headed home from a near post corner in the 75th minute. Gary Hamilton-Irvine assured the home team of three vital points when he scored late in the game.

"It has been a character-building season," United coach Neil Rush commented after the game. "We are not out of the woods yet but that was a good win and three valuable points."

Ngongotaha moved into third equal place without breaking a sweat after bottom-placed Otorohanga defaulted.

Old Blues coach Andy Legget was less than impressed with the condition of the pitch and the standard of refereeing after his team was beaten 3-1 by Waikato Unicol. "The ground was basically unplayable and the game was a lottery. As for the officiating - well, the less said the better."

It was a scoreless first half but Unicol were ahead 3-0 before Steve Flude scored for Old Blues late.

Taupo cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win over Melville United, with goals to Paul Stewart and Dillon Caldwell while Claudelands Rovers kept in touch with Taupo with a 3-1 win over Whakatane Town at Gower Park.

Otumoetai went to Southey Field with plenty of confidence after scoring eight goals the previous week, but their up-and-down season continued as they were beaten 3-1 by Tauranga Boys' College. The students, in danger of relegation, deserved their win but Otumoetai were disappointing.

The division two competition concluded with Cambridge beating Te Awamutu 2-1 while West Hamilton also won 2-1 against Rotorua United.

Athletics: Masters winner

Tauranga Ramblers' Michael Pugh had a tough race to negotiate before claiming victory in muddy conditions at the New Zealand cross-country championships at Minogue Park, Te Rapa, on Saturday.

Pugh won the masters 8km title in 27:4, just 10s ahead of Wellington's Stephen Day with Canterbury's Richard Bennett third in 27:28.

Katikati's Sally Gibbs was a strong fifth in the senior women's race over 8km in 31:2.

Kenyan Edwin Kaitany found the muddy conditions difficult as he sped to victory in the open men's division. The 21-year-old recorded 38:54 for the 12km, beating Australian James Nipperess by 11s. Sam Wreford of Timaru was third and, being the first New Zealander, collected his first senior national title. Alex Parlane was fourth ahead of fellow Auckland teammate John Schreuder.

Celia Sullohern of Australia won the women's 8km in 29:33, ahead of leading triathlete Mikayla Nielsen (Waikato).

NZ Oceania cross-country champs (Minogue Park, Hamilton):

Men:

Senior 12km: Edwin Kaitany (Kenya) 38:54, 1, James Nipperess (Aust) 39:5, 2, Sam Wreford (Cant) 39:36, 3, Alex Parlane (Auck) 40:29, 4, John Schreuder (Auck) 40:41, 5, Evan Cooper (Wgtn) 40:56, 6.

Masters 8km: Michael Pugh (Waik-BoP) 27:4, 1, Stephen Day (Wgtn) 27:14, 2, Richard Bennett (Cant) 27:28, 3.

M19 8km: Matt Baxter (Taranaki) 26:20, 1, Antoine Bonnet (Manawatu/Wanganui) 26:30, 2, Michael Sutton (Waik-BoP) 26:45, 3.

M16 6km: Jacob Priddey (Waik-BoP) 20:14, 1, Marcus Karamanolis (Wgtn) 20:27, 2, Nicholas Pointon (Wgtn) 20:49, 3.

Women:

Senior 8km: Celia Sullohern (Aust) 29:33, 1, Mikayla Nielsen (Waik-BoP) 29:37, 2, Nicki McFadzien (Canty) 29:43, 3, Sarah Drought (Wgtn) 30:29, 4, Sally Gibbs (Waik-BoP) 31:2, 5, Rachel Kingsford (Otago) 31:20, 6.

Masters 6km: Gabrielle O'Rourke (Wgtn) 22:29, 1, Rachel Penney (Auck) 22:45, 2, Stephanie MacKenzie (Wgtn) 23:57, 3.

W19 6km: Kara MacDermid (Manawatu/Wanganui) 22:42, 1, Georgie Grgec (Auck) 23:28, 2, Grace McConnochie (Hawkes Bay/Gisborne) 23:36, 3.

Football: City in fifth spot

Tauranga City United are back up to fifth in the Northern League second division, which is about as high as they'll get heading into their last game of a disappointing season this weekend.

Tauranga downed Auckland club Fencibles 3-2 at Mt Maunganui's Links Ave on Saturday, with a revitalised Scott Doney netting twice and defender Graham Craven once in ugly conditions.

Their final game of the season is away to Waiuku this weekend.

Despite losing 3-1 to North Shore, season-long second division front-runners Hibiscus Coast are guaranteed promotion, with North Shore almost certain to join them in the first division next season.

At the other end of the table Papakura City seem destined for the drop even if, mathematically, they could survive.

Oratia are lining up for a shot at gaining promotion into next season's second division.

Second division:

Hibiscus Coast 1 (Alex Lazov) North Shore United 3 (Jaryd Gray 2, Jamie Shields). HT: 1-2.

Tauranga City 3 (Scott Doney 2, Graham Craven) Fencibles 2 (Martin Pike, Scott Booker). HT: 2-1.

Western Springs 2 (James Clark, Ian Sellar) Onehunga Mangere 0. HT: 1-0.

Matamata Swifts 3 (Andrew Carter 2, Mackenzie Smith) Waiuku 4 (Elliot Crean 2, Derek Sinclair, Cody Ralph). HT: 2-1.

Manukau City 1 (Scott Yearbury) Mangere United 4 (Mishra Joseph 2, James Hoyt, Chris Abbott). HT: 0-1.

Papakura City 2 (Shaun Irvine, Shane Godden) Warkworth 2 (Matt Taylor 2). HT: 1-1.

Table

Rugby: Chiefs junior coaches

Bay of Plenty has announced the coaches to mentor the province's subunion teams in the inaugural Chiefs franchise under-14 and under-15 representative competitions.

In the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Tahi Goddard, Dave Haereroa and Scott Lillas will be in charge of the under-14 team, with Mark Camburn and Dean Oswald coaching the under-15s. Steve Simpkins and Bede Murray have been appointed to guide the fortunes of the respective Central (Rotorua) age group sides, while in Western Bay Heywood Kuka will coach the under-14s and Paul Tietjens the under-15s.

The Chiefs franchise age group competitions have been put in place to give a meaningful representative programme.

A team apiece from Thames Valley and King Country, will be joined by the Bay of Plenty representatives and four regional Waikato sides - Harlequins White and Black (Hamilton), Tritons (South Waikato) and Corinthians (Matamata and Morrinsville).

Bay of Plenty subunion coaches:

Eastern Bay of Plenty: Under 14: Tahi Goddard, Dave Harereroa, Scott Lillas. Under 15: Mark Camburn, Dean Oswald.

Central Bay of Plenty (Rotorua): Under 14: Steve Simpkins. Under 15: Bede Murray.

Western Bay of Plenty: Under 14: Heywood Kuka. Under 15: Paul Tietjens.

Chiefs under-15 competition:

Pool A: Western Bay, King Country, Harlequins (Hamilton) White, Tritons (South Waikato), King Country. Pool B: Eastern Bay, Central Bay, Harlequins Black, Corinthians (Matamata, Morrinsville).

Chiefs under-14:

Pool A: Western Bay, Eastern Bay, Harlequins White, Tritons, King Country. Pool B: Central Bay, Harlequins Black, Corinthians, Thames Valley.

Rugby league: City Tigers to defend

Reigning champions Hamilton City Tigers will defend their title this Saturday at Resthills Park against Ngaruawahia Panthers by repelling a strong challenge from Taniwharau 22-10 in last weekend's semifinal.

At Davies Park in Huntly, Ngaruawahia confirmed their grand final aspirations with a powerful 44-6 hammering of Bay of Plenty's last team in the playoffs, Tokoroa's Pacific Sharks.

In Bay of Plenty district age grade playoffs, the Mars Marine-sponsored Otumoetai Eels under-15s earned themselves direct route to their age-grade final at Rotorua on August 18 by hammering last year's champions Whakatane Mustangs 52-20. Otumoetai put on a show of power and pace with big forwards Sammi Veikoso (2 tries), Bailey Nicholas, Brad Armstrong (player of the match), Freedom Walker (3 tries) and Simi Togotogorua (2 tries) making huge charges upfield. Backs Liam McNeil (2 tries) and Moshea Mankelow (1) were among the other tryscorers to shine.

The Eels meet either Whakatane or Ngongotaha, who beat Taupo in the other elimination match, in the final.

Otumoetai Eels under-17 were trounced 40-14 by Pacific Sharks in their elimination playoff to end their playoffs run. Baden Sommerville, Troy Draffin and Jaedyn Tane stood out for the Eels and are in line for the national zonal squad.