Qualification for semi final places from the Under 23 Mens Pool 1 was decided by two local derbies on day 3. Waitakere West took on Auckland and Wellington clashed with Porirua.
The two capital teams were evenly matched at half time but Porirua forged ahead in the third term. The inside outside output of Jordan Ngatai and Nico Buckrell took it’s toll on the Wellington defence, the lead blowing out to twenty points at three quarter time. Wellington rallied but was never able to seriously threaten their neighbours, 94-82 to Porirua at the final whistle.
Waitakere West were too strong for Auckland forging to a 86-74 win on the back of a colossal 35 points from Tohi Smith-Milner. Waitakere were only ahead 38-37 at half time but a dominant 32-20 third period sealed the game for the West Aucklanders. Captain Samuel Everitt (20pts) and Derone Raukawa (18pts) kept Auckland in the hunt but they, like their team, eventually ran out of steam.
The win gave Waitakere a 4-1 record and top billing but three teams, Porirua, Auckland and Wellington with 3-1 records tied for second place in the pool. However it was Poirua progressing on countback to join Waitakere, Counties and Harbour as semi final contestants – games to be played later on Friday
LACEY LOWDOWN 