Nayland face Mt Albert Grammar in semi

Nayland College scored a 1-0 win over Christchurch Boys' High School yesterday to advance to the semifinals of the Lotto premier national secondary schoolboys football tournament.

Wet weather and poor ground condition meant that all but the top eight games were postponed yesterday, with play transferred to Napier Boys' and Hastings Boys' high schools.

Despite the heavy ground conditions, the Brendan Crichton-coached Nayland side dominated the play against Christchurch, with many attacks on goal which failed to produce a goal until early in the second half when Gagame Feni was able to beat two defenders and slot the ball in the net.

Christchurch worked hard to make up the deficit and pushed players forward but Nayland defended strongly to hold on for the win.

They now move into the semifinals where they were to meet Mt Albert Grammar today.

In the other semifinal, Palmerston BHS meet Auckland's Sacred Heart College, with favourites Auckland Grammar being relegated to 5th to 8th place after losing to Palmerston North.

It's the third time in six years that Nayland have made the top four. They breezed through their two opening-day fixtures, captain Adam Smith scoring a hat-trick in their 6-0 win over Shirley BHS before they beat Tauranga BHS 4-2 in Monday's second match.

They lost 2-1 to Sacred Heart on Tuesday in a rematch of last year's penalty shootout loss to the same side, setting up their quarterfinal clash with Christchurch BHS.

Nelson College lost 3-1 to Auckland Grammar and 2-1 to Wellington College in Monday's pool play before beating Auckland's St Peter's College 2-1 on Tuesday.

Nelson were to meet Hamilton's St Paul's Collegiate in the bowl playoffs.

- © Fairfax NZ News