SPORT ROUND-UP
CHRIS COGDALE
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RUGBY
Heartbreak for Wairarapa College as Rongotai College scored two late tries to deny them a semifinal spot in the Wellington First XV Championship.
Waicol looked on target for third place after tries to Charlie Carroll, Junior Mila and Cory Bracewell, and two conversions to Cohen Scott gave them a 19–10 lead heading into the final 10 minutes at Rongotai College.
However, the home side weren’t done with and crossed for two five-pointers to win the tough physical battle 20–19.
Waicol will play off for fifth and sixth against St Patrick’s Town on Saturday. Another close game is likely, afterWaicol won their round-robin clash 20–19.
FOOTBALL
Rathkeale continued their good form in the Wellington Secondary School Boys Premier Championship with a 3–0 defeat of St Patrick’s Town to guarantee their place in the top four.
They have a tough start to the top four round-robin, though, up against top qualifiers HIBS at Trust House Memorial Park on Friday night. HIBS comfortably won their first-round clash 5–1.
Waicol retained their lead in division one despite their away game with Aotea College being cancelled. They are away to the HIBS 2XI on Saturday in the final round of matches before the semifinals.
The only games played in the Wairarapa Local Leagues were in men’s division three. Greytown Umbrella Group Spartans won the club derby with Greytown The Offering 3–1, and Martinborough edged Carterton 2–1.
HOCKEY
St Matthew’s and Wairarapa College share the lead in the Manawatu Intercity Secondary Schoolgirls Division One Championship with one round to play before the playoffs.
Waicol impressed in beating Palmerston North Girls High School 2–1, while St Matt’s trounced Tararua College 13–0.
St Matt’s face the toughest challenge in tomorrow’s last round, up against third-placed Whanganui Collegiate, while Waicol should post a big score against Tararua.
In the Intercentre Boys Division One, Waicol and Feilding High School battled out a scoreless draw, and Rathkeale remained winless, going down 3–1 to Palmerston North Boys High School 2XI.
Second-placed Waicol meet Levin Combined tomorrow night, and Rathkeale have a daunting challenge against Palmerston North Boys High School First XI.
Comvita Kia Kaha completed the round-robin phase of the Wairarapa Hockey men’s First Division with an unbeaten record but were made to work hard before getting the better of Carterton Vets 1–0. Gladstone Bulls secured second place with a 5–0 win over Tremains Red Star, Old Boys sneaked into the top four with a 4–2 victory over Featherston, and Dalefield Dodgers were easy 9–0 winners over JNL. Kia Kaha and Bulls will meet in the qualifying final on Saturday, while Vets and Old Boys will go to battle in the elimination final.
Women’s Division One leaders Gladstone Gold bounced back from their first loss of the season to beat Tremains Red Star, and Dalefield demolished Featherston 11–0. The final round of matches before the semifinals will be played this weekend.
Property Brokers maintained their unbeaten record in Women’s Division Two, beating Coasties 1–0. Featherston Force were 5–3 victors over Martinborough, Gladstone Heifers triumphed 2–1 over Eketāhuna Tuis, and Featherston Foxies easily dispatched Wairarapa Mitsubishi 6–1.
ATHLETICS
Athletics and Cycling Masterton’s two old warhorses, Graeme Butcher and Tony Price, ran into the medals at the New Zealand Cross-Country Championships in Taupo on Saturday.
Butcher claimed silver in the men’s 60–64 age group, finishing the 8km in 32 minutes 50 seconds, only 33 seconds behind winner Bruce Edwards [Waikato-Bay of Plenty], and Price was third in the 65–69 class, completing the 6km in 26min 54 sec, in a race won by Ian Calder from Whangarei.
Bulls will meet in the qualifying final on Saturday, while Vets and Old Boys will go to battle in the elimination final.
Women’s Division One leaders Gladstone Gold bounced back from their first loss of the season to beat Tremains Red Star, and Dalefield demolished Featherston 11–0. The final round of matches before the semifinals will be played this weekend.
Property Brokers maintained their unbeaten record in Women’s Division Two, beating Coasties 1–0. Featherston Force were 5–3 victors over Martinborough, Gladstone Heifers triumphed 2–1 over Eketāhuna Tuis, and Featherston Foxies easily dispatched Wairarapa Mitsubishi 6–1.
