Cromwell school tournament wraps up

Mountainview High School's first XI hockey team have achieved their goal of making the quarterfinals of the Coaches Cup secondary school tournament in Cromwell.

A 2-0 win over Logan Park High School, from Dunedin, was enough to cancel out a 3-0 loss to Cashmere High School from Christchurch, yesterday.

Ten minutes into the second half against Logan Park, Caleb Thurlow masterfully converted a drag-flick to open the scoring.

MVHS put constant pressure on Logan Park's defence, and rarely let the ball escape from the opposition's half.

Strong communication between the players ensured accurate and purposeful passing.

MVHS' second goal was scored by Hayden Russell, after he evaded several players in the last few minutes of the game.

Throughout the match, MVHS held their heads high and provided opportunities for the younger players to make an impact.

Timaru Boys' High School First XI started their India Shield hockey tournament campaign with a 5-3 loss to second-ranked Rangitoto College.

TBHS started at pace and the game flowed from end to end in the first 10 minutes.

Two penalty corners to TBHS were saved through outstanding goalkeeping by Mark McGillens, who read the drag flicks, getting a hand to both shots.

McGillens was in the action again after Jayden Hardacre found some space down the left side and his cross found Ryan Ammar on the right post, but the shot was blocked.

Rangitoto then found their rhythm and started putting some passes together resulting in a field goal when TBHS stood off some tackles, allowing a firm shot to beat Ross Hayman.

Shortly after, a quick turnover saw Simon Small make ground and pass to Shannon Hardacre.

Hardacre's shot was blocked with a stick check, but the shot from the penalty corner variation was high and wide.

Rangitoto's pressure then resulted in three penalty corners in a row and the third resulted in Rangitoto's second goal.

TBHS continued to play structured hockey with good runs from Nick Galway and Jayden Hardacre ending in shots just wide of the goal.

The second half started in the worst possible way for TBHS as from the hit-off Rangitoto passed and dribbled to the circle and scored.

However, this seemed to spur TBHS and led to them being awarded a penalty corner.

A series of passes in the circle eventually saw Galway put the ball past the keeper.

Galway was again in the action two minutes later with a steal and layoff to Simon Small, who crossed a lovely ball to Shannon Hardacre in the circle, who made no mistake and saw TBHS back in the hunt.

A further series of penalty corners against TBHS saw great defence, with George Boyd putting body behind a superb drag flick.

The subsequent stroke however was converted leaving TBHS down 4-2.

A quick turnover saw Shannon Hardacre dribble into the circle and score, reducing the deficit to one with 10 minutes to play.

Further attacks saw several shots blocked or go wide and a quick free hit from Smallridge found Small with space to get into the circle only to see his reverse shot blocked.

Rangitoto then dug deep and were awarded three more penalty corners in quick succession with one converted with a deft deflection to make the final score 5-3.

South Canterbury Combined Rural girls' hockey team started their campaign in the Jenny MacDonald Cup with two wins in cold and wet conditions in Dunedin.

The first match was against South Otago High School with Rural Combined running out the winners 5-1. Lucy Brown grabbed a double while Lucinda Askin, Bridget Sheed and Michaela Sewell also got on the scoresheet.

The afternoon match was against Logan Park High School and again the Rural Combined girls impressed with a 5-0 victory.

Brown was in the goal-scoring action along with Georgina Hampton, and Luci Brown, while Sheed scored a brace.

The Timaru Boys' High School second XI hockey team top their pool after three matches at the Coaches Cup in Cromwell.

In their opening game, Max Carter, William Ching and BJ Mason each scored twice in the team's 10-0 romp over Dunstan High School.

The match was useful to get used to the shorter 25-minute halves.

A strong second-half performance was the catalyst for a 6-1 win over Geraldine High School.

Leading 2-0 at halftime, after dominating possession and territory for the first 25 minutes, a goal from Geraldine High School early in the second half, sparked TBHS into action with four more goals for a comfortable win.

TBHS kept up their momentum with a 2-0 win over Bayfield High School, of Dunedin, in their third game.

Timaru Girls' High School has progressed to the top-eight section of the Audrey Timlin hockey tournament after finishing second in their pool.

TGHS faced Waimea College in their first game on Tuesday, in Greymouth and came out on the wrong side of a 3-0 scoreline.

A late goal in the first half, and two early goals in the second half cemented the Waimea win.

Caitlin Henderson played well at inner, shutting down many Waimea attacks.

In the afternoon game, TGHS played Wellington Girls' College, and for the third time in as many games, the opposition opened the scoring.

TGHS replied with goals from penalty corners to Tash Dockrill and Kristina O'Connor, to secure the win 2-1.

Today TGHS take on the winner of pool D in the first of their cross-over games.

NetballRoncalli College kept on their winning way at the South Island secondary schools B-grade netball tournament in Blenheim.

Roncalli recorded a 48-12 victory over Ellesmere High School to go unbeaten through pool play. They then beat Queens High School 40-18 in post-section play.

Against Ellesmere, goal shoot Hannah Langford was the star, shooting at 95 per cent accuracy. Her performance has likely secured her the position for the rest of the tournament.

Also impressive was the Roncalli team's defence that worked well together to create turnovers and pick up numerous tips.

Against Queens it was wing attack Chloe Austin who stood out, getting the better of her nuggety opponent.

Once again, however, it was a team effort that got Roncalli home.

Today they face dark horses Dunstan High School, who were not expected to win through, and Hillmorton High School.

They must win both games to progress through to the finals.

An improving Craighead Diocesan School bounced back from an early setback at the national secondary schools netball competition in Blenheim yesterday.

Craighead narrowly lost a nail-biter against Columba College, from Dunedin, 33-35, playing their best netball so far.

Defensively they kept the pressure on throughout court, with Hannah Palea'ae and Kayla Toa making the Columba mid-court work extra hard to get the ball and almost force held balls. Alice Eddington at goal shoot again impressed for Craighead, netting 28 from 30 attempts at goal.

In the top 16 playoffs, Craighead's first game was against Villa Maria, of Christchurch, and Craighead won 35-28.

Craighead pulled ahead in the first quarter to be ahead 9-5 at quarter-time.

Villa Maria changed their goal shooters to their advantage, and Craighead did not adjust to the extra height, falling behind 14-17 at halftime.

After coach Barry Tucker's team talk, the girls adjusted and fought back to take the lead 23-21, with Georgia McRae taking two intercepts in a row.

Craighead kept the pressure on, frustrating Villa Maria, who became more physical, but Craighead kept their composure, with Georgie McFarlane and Nicola Mackle combining well and keeping control to gain a seven-goal victory

Geraldine High School had an up-and-down day at the national secondary schools netball competition in Blenheim yesterday.

Geraldine came out positively in their final pool game against undefeated Lincoln High School, but the mid-court struggled to force their way down court.

Defenders Natalie Robb and Maysie White managed to regain possession but the turnovers were not finished off.

Geraldine were down 3-8 at quarter time.

The second quarter proved much tighter, with Margot Robinson switching from wing attack to centre and Sarah Kerse changed from centre to wing attack.

This helped with ball retention and with excellent shooting from Harriet Robb, Geraldine lost this quarter by only two goals.

The third quarter was a thriller, Geraldine managed to close the gap slightly, but were unable to maintain the pressure.

Lincoln were mobile and their speed at times left Geraldine standing.

This quarter was drawn and Geraldine were down 14-21 with a quarter to go.

Lincoln managed to get five goals in a row, as the last quarter proved too much for Geraldine, with Lincoln prevailing 28-17.

Losing two of their three games in pool play, Geraldine were now playing for positions 17-32 in A grade.

A tense 32-30 win over Wakatipu High School was the perfect start to the new phase of the competition.

Geraldine started strongly in their first post-pool play game and were soon up 6-1, but unfortunately errors crept in to their game and they were only leading 9-7 at quarter-time.

The second quarter saw Geraldine leading by five goals once again, but some bad passing options saw them down 15-16 at halftime.

Changes were made, with White put to goal keep, Ashley Tweed to goal defence and Natalie Robb to wing defence.

Tweed made the most of her opportunity at goal defence, with some well-timed intercepts.

This helped Geraldine to a one-goal lead at three-quarter-time. Millie How replaced Kerse at wing attack and this took time for the team to settle.

Wakatipu were up by three goals, but Tweed and Robinson created turnover ball and drew Geraldine level with two minutes to go.

Tweed again made a timely intercept, which was capitalised on by Harriet Robb, who had a high workrate.

With Geraldine having the next pass off, they managed to win the game 32-30.

FootballThe Timaru Boys' High School first XI football team has finished as the top qualifier from their group at the South Island secondary school football competition in Christchurch.

It was a rain-affected day yesterday, which made playing attractive football impossible as the Avonside pitch began to struggle with the weather and amount of matches played on it.

TBHS adapted well, to secure a gritty 1-0 win over St Thomas' College, thanks to a first-half goal from midfielder Michael Hogan.

The win meant they were unbeaten in pool-play.

TBHS coach Gary Ivamy said goalkeeper Blair Brown had been strong, only conceding one goal so far at the tournament, while defender Tyler Collings had been solid at the back.

Ivamy said he was pleased with how his team was coping with the tough conditions.

TBHS' quarterfinal opponents today will be Papanui High School, who had two wins and a loss in pool play.

RugbyThe Timaru Boys' High School under-15 rugby team have made a successful start to the South Island tournament in Nelson.

In very muddy conditions the team took on Shirley Boys' High School, a top-rated Christchurch side.

After being poor in the first half despite ample territory and possession a change of fortunes was needed by TBHS.

The second half improved markedly and through the forward domination and mistakes being eliminated two excellent tries were scored by Kronfeld Latu and Norton Miller.

Mark Gloag's reliable boot saw his side prevail 18-5.

TBHS's best were dependable centre Cain Tweedie-Cunningham and halfback Josh Rooney.

In the second half the forwards, in particular props Graison Dale and Norton Miller, stood out while hooker Matt Merrillees gained a remarkable six tightheads.

TBHS then triumphed 22-5 over Dunedin's Kings High School, in much better conditions and a much more even surface.

The result gave the side a four-try bonus point despite a very mixed performance.

Callum Fix, Latham Gibb, Dan Mehrtens and Josh Rumble all dotted down.

Tweedie-Cunningham was again impressive and was involved in the leadup to all four tries.

TBHS play an unbeaten Nelson College in their final pool game today and the winner will play in the final against the top qualifier of Pool B, which is being held in Blenheim.

The South Canterbury under-16 rugby team overcame a bigger North Otago forward pack to triumph 33-0 in Waimate at the weekend.

The South Canterbury forwards used their skill and agility to dominate the set-pieces, disrupting North Otago's lineouts and scrums.

Forwards Shaun Chapman and Josh Gamblin put in a solid performance helping the team cement a good win.

The backs played with flair and determination, gaining confidence in the second half.

When Joshua Dick came off the substitutes bench at first five-eighth his excellent ball distribution gave the backline room to showcase their speed and ball-handling skills.

Josh Westland stood out on defence, resulting in a lot of turnover ball.

Ben Watson broke the line on attack consistently, giving the rest of the backs room to show their expansive style.

Robbie Mulvena was the main benefactor, scoring twice, he also added two penalties and a conversion with the boot, while Adam Hitchcock, Geoff Chitty and Scott Wilougby also crossed for the home team.

Tim O'Malley was the stand-out for North Otago.

- © Fairfax NZ News