MGC side surge into basketball final

South Island Secondary Schools Netball Tournament

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South Island Secondary Schools Netball Tournament

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The Marlborough Girls' College basketball team are one step away from becoming South Island champions after a dominant final quarter helped them overcome Christchurch Girls' High School 60-38 in their South Island Premierships semifinal in Nelson yesterday.

Leading by just two at the major break and six at three-quarter time, MGC hit Christchurch GHS with a defensive zone press in the final quarter, forcing numerous turnovers and helping them run away with the game.

Skipper Sophie van Velthooven led from the front with 19 points for MGC, while sister Claudia had 14 and Jaime Campbell added 12.

Campbell was a tower of strength down low, pulling off several big rejections, while Paige Kilgour did a fine job off the bench, containing Christchurch GHS's big playmaker effectively.

MGC take on a strong Waimea College outfit in the final today.

Meanwhile, the Marlborough Boys' College team suffered two close losses in the 9th to 16th playoffs at their South Island premierships in Christchurch.

In the morning, MBC went down 75-83 to a big, physical Southland BHS side, a 10 from 29 overall free throw effort from MBC proving the difference as they couldn't quite claw their way back from a 21-point deficit at three-quarter time.

Guard Matt Pigou led scorers for MBC with 21, while captain Simon Bush and Gareth Vile added 19 each.

MBC got closer in their afternoon match-up, but again had to come from behind in a 59-61 defeat by Rangiora High School.

In what was a good team effort right across the floor, MBC got the scores to 59-all in the final minute, but couldn't prevent Rangiora from scoring the winning bucket with just 10 seconds on the clock.

Pigou and Bush were again among the points, picking up 15 each, while Vile chipped in with 11.

A "gutted" Marlborough Boys' College First XI Football team were unable to extend their winning run, beaten 4-3 on penalties by Rangiora High School in the semifinals of the Linwood Cup competition in Christchurch.

With the sides locked at 1-all after 90 minutes the game went straight to penalties, MBC going down as one effort pinged back off the crossbar and another hit the post.

Earlier on MBC had gone one down in the first half, only for Tore Waechter to level the match up with a clinical header just before halftime.

Luka Velebit was a standout for MBC, putting in a strong performance in midfield, while Ryan Way and Waechter were also impressive, running hard up-front all day.

MBC play Timaru Boys' tomorrow in the third/fourth playoff.

It was another tough day at the office for the Marlborough Girls' College football team at the Lotto Premier tournament in Nelson, as they went down 1-3 to a physical Avondale College side.

Avondale made the most of a decent breeze to take a 3-0 lead into halftime, but despite some injuries, MGC fought hard in the second spell and got one back when Emily Hall picked up a well-deserved goal.

Defenders Jacinta Mortimer and Adele Harris were the standout players for MGC, while goalie Hannah Cook made a number of fine saves.

MGC take on Marian College in the seventh/eighth playoff tomorrow, the winner claiming the title of highest finishing South Island team.

The Marlborough Boys' College First XI hockey side were left ruing some ill discipline yesterday, as three players picked up yellow cards in their 1-3 loss to Massey High School at the India Shield tournament in Nelson.

Gabriel Kepes was the goal scorer for MBC, while Ben Pelvin worked hard up-front and Reuben Kepes sparked a number of attacking movements from centre-half.

MBC go up against Wanganui Collegiate tomorrow in the playoff for 15th/16th.

The Marlborough Girls' College side also had another disappointing day, going down 0-4 to Avonside Girls' High School at the Marie Fry Trophy in Palmerston North.

MGC play Woodford House tomorrow, for 15th/16th places.

- The Marlborough Express