NZ HERALD WEEKLY COLLEGE SPORT COLUMN

Kelston finish off stellar year with sevens win

Kelston Boys' High School capped a stellar year with a 26-19 victory over Nelson College in the final of the BNZ Condor Sevens.

Defending their title, KBHS, who also won the Moascar Cup and the Top 4 championship in the XVs, were too big and fast for the gallant Nelson boys, playing in their first Condor Cup final.

Two tries to Sosiceni Tokoqio and others to Lolagi Visinia and Leon Fukofuka in the first half took Kelston out of sight in the wet conditions at College Rifles Park, although Nelson made a spirited comeback in the second spell with tries to Richard Kaisia, Steven Soper and Jackson Harvey.

"It's a great honour to win this title as it's been a hard tournament," said Kelston captain Tayler Adams. "We came out blasting but Nelson hit back and showed real courage so all credit to them."

Adams also praised the organisation of the tournament, the 25th edition of the national schoolboy sevens but the first sponsored by BNZ.

Kelston, last year's runners-up Mt Albert Grammar School, six-time winners Wesley College and Hamilton BHS, who were without Joe Webber due to his selection in the New Zealand team, were the top seeds.


But the lesser lights produced the upsets in pool play, notably Rosmini College and Feilding HS defeating Wesley (17-12 and 17-7 respectively) and Rotorua BHS tipping MAGS 19-17.

Rosmini went down to Hamilton in the quarter-finals and Feilding lost to Auckland Grammar at the same stage and Rotorua were edged 19-14 by MAGS in the Plate final.

Wesley gained some consolation winning the Bowl 19-7 over Napier and St Pat's Silverstream won the Shield 31-0 over New Plymouth.

BNZ head of sponsorship Ross Halpin was delighted with the quality of players.

"Having 16 teams representing their respective regions across New Zealand is a clear display of the tournament's evolution," he said.

SOCCER

The ongoing resurgence of soccer at Mt Albert Grammar has led to Paul Marshall's appointment to the recently created position of director of girl's soccer for next year.

"While Paul will work primarily with our elite women's footballers in Year 9 and 10 and coach the girls first XI, he will also be focusing on coach development," said MAGS headmaster Dale Burden.

Marshall goes into the role on the back of more than 35 years' experience in soccer, firstly as a player where he enjoyed a National League career and played semi-professionally in England. He started coaching in 1999 and has been working in the game either as a coach or an administrator since.

Marshall was head coach at a number of Auckland clubs and he also had success at the national Under-19 tournament in Napier with Central United. He was co-coach of the Auckland team who played in the Under-15 Manchester United Nike Cup finals in Hong Kong and recently worked at the Portsmouth FC Academy in England.

TOUCH

Future superstars from around the country will be out to showcase their skills in this week's NZSS Championships at Waikato University Park.

Last year Manurewa High School prevailed in the girls' grade partly because of New Zealand representative players Marama Davis and Charlotte Davis who are back this year. Christchurch's Papanui High School will be out for revenge after losing the nail-biting final last year and Rangitoto will no doubt turn heads.

Last year's boys' winners Hamilton BHS are chasing an unprecedented four championship crowns in a row. St Kentigern College pushed Hamilton hard last year but could not match their big match experience - but this could be their year.

St Peter's School who won the mixed grade in their first attempt at NZSS glory last year, will look to repeat their outstanding debut effort.

COMING UP

TODAY: Softball, junior one-day tournament (boys/girls), Rosedale Park, from 9.15am.

TODAY/TOMORROW: Cricket, NZSS NZCT Cup girls finals, Owen Delany Park, Taupo (continues).

FRIDAY-SUNDAY: Touch, NZ SS Championships, Waikato University Park, Hamilton.
SATURDAY/SUNDAY: NZSS track and field and road championships, Newtown Park, Wellington.

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