Not too many teams progress to play-off action from sixth seed in their pool at the Schick Secondary Schools Nationals but Mt Albert Grammar have given themselves every opportunity after beating Rosmini College 53-50 in the first round of action on Monday in Palmerston North.
It is widely regarded as an upset but it should be noted that MAGS beat Rosmini early in the season on their way to a 13-1 record that took them to the Auckland Premier Grade regular season title. MAGS completed a good day’s work defeating New Plymouth Boys 79-65 in the afternoon game.
In the same Pool Hamilton Boys defeated Rongotai College by the surprising scoreline of 78-48.
The closest game of the day was in Pool A of the Boys A Tournament where Manukura defeated St Kevin’s College, Oamaru by the narrowest of margins 70-69. Other tight encounters were in the Girls A Tournament, Pool B where Te Aroha beat Buller 52-50 and in the AA Boys Pool B – St John’s College edging Shirley Boys 58-56. Over in Pool C Otago Boys edged Rangitoto College 65-63, while also in the last round of the day Palmerston North Boys shaded Auckland Grammar 66-62.
In Pool B top seed St Kentigern College were given a scare by Rotorua Boys High before prevailing 81-78, a second single figure loss on day 1 for Rotorua.
Pool C of the Boys AA Tournament looks wide open with five of the six teams registering W’s on the opening day.
Hutt Valley recorded a significant win in Pool B of the AA Girls comp defeating St Andrews 74-59. Pretty much all other girls results in the AA competition followed the form book.
Boys AA Tournament standings after Day 1
(Teams listed in order of seeding.)
Pool A
Rosmini College 1-1
Rongotai College 1-1
Hamilton Boys HS 2-0
New Plymouth Boys HS 0-2
St Andrew’s College 0-2
Mt Albert GS 2-0
Pool B
St Kentigern College 2-0
Westlake Boys HS 2-0
Shirley Boys HS 0-2
St John’s College 2-0
Rotorua Boys HS 0-2
Fraser HS 0-2
Pool C
Rangitoto College 1-1
Auckland GS 1-1
Palmerston North Boys HS 2-0
Middleton Grange 0-2
Otago Boys HS 1-1
Hastings Boys HS 1-1
Pool D
Cashmere HS 1-0
Napier Boys HS 1-0
St Patrick’s College, Kilbirnie 1-0
Waimea College 0-1
Tauranga Boys HS 0-1
Macleans College 0-1
Girls AA Tournament standings after Day 1
Pool A
Sacred Heart Girls College, New Plymouth 2-0
Westlake Girls HS 2-0
Rangitoto College 1-1
Christchurch Girls HS 1-1
Melville HS 0-2
Hillcrest HS 0-2
Pool B
St Peter’s, Cambridge 2-0
Hutt Valley HS 2-0
St Andrew’s College 1-1
Otago Girls HS 1-1
Wellington Girls College 0-2
Tauranga Girls College 0-2
Pool C
Mt Albert GS 1-0
Rotorua Girls HS 1-0
Rangi Ruru 0-1
Queen Margaret College, Wellington 1-0
St Mary’s College, Ponsonby 0-1
Massey HS 0-1
Pool D
Hamilton Girls HS 1-0
Auckland Girls GS 1-0
Napier Girls HS 1-0
Fraser HS 0-1
Waimea College 0-1
Palmerston North Girls HS 0-1
Boys A Tournament standings after Day 1
Pool A
Stratford HS 2-0
Manukura 2-0
St Kevin’s College 0-2
Te Aroha College 2-0
Tai Wananga 0-2
Rangiora New Life School 0-2
Pool B
Hillmorton HS 0-2
Opunake HS 2-0
Waihi College 0-2
Dunstan HS 1-1
Catholic Cathedral College 1-1
Nga Taiatea Wharekura 2-0
Girls A Tournament standings after Day 1
Pool A
Manukura 2-0
Te Kura Kokiri 1-1
Kavanagh College 0-2
Ellesmere College 1-1
Pool B
Te Aroha College 2-0
Stratford HS 2-0
Buller HS 1-1
Te Wharekura o Mauao 0-2
Te Kuiti HS 0-2
LACEY LOWDOWN 