THE PRESS, Christchurch Saturday, March31, 2012 WEEKENDSPORT D3

FRIDAY ACTION

RUGBY Highlanders trounce hapless Rebels at ‘Castle Cargill’

The Highlanders bounced SCORERS points. They finished with Zealand conference and the running and passing. It all With the match clock Thomson each breached the first five-eighth Colin Slade back from their loss last week seven tries to nil, scoring the overall ladder. went horribly wrong shortly almost at 43 minutes, the Rebels’ stripe in the last 21 can finally leave the scene of away to hammer the Rebels Highlanders 43 (Adam Thomson 3, last 36 points of the game. It was a fourth loss in five after Johansson returned to Highlanders levelled the score minutes with Thomson just his latest rugby heartache 43-12 in Invercargill last night. 2, Jamie Mackintosh, Talismanic flanker Adam games for the Rebels, who the field, as the Rebels when Thomson crossed at the denied another try when he behind, almost a week after The Rebels, seeking their Kade Poki tries; Chris Noakes 4 Thomson bagged a hat-trick have lost all five of their conceded two tries late in the end of another sweeping was forced out of play. he broke a leg playing the cons) bt Rebels 12 first win away from Mel- (James O’Connor 4 pens) at Rugby and incisive fullback Ben offshore games since being first half, which ended with a move. Rebels wing Cooper Vuna Brumbies in Canberra. bourne, led 9-0 and 12-7 in the Park Stadium, Invercargill. Smith a brace. admitted to the competition 12-12 scoreline. Thomson and Poki crossed was warned by the referee for Slade was cleared to return first half after four penalties Referee: Marius Jonker. Captain and prop Jamie last year. Smith evaded attempted within five minutes of the a lifting tackle on Poki, which home from the Australian to five-eighth James O’Con- Mackintosh and wing Kade O’Connor and fellow Wall- tackles from Beale and O’Con- restart and the Rebels’ resolve looked just as bad, if not capital yesterday and con- nor. Poki also crossed the Rebels aby Kurtley Beale, both nor and fended off halfback diminished as the insatiable worse, than the one made by tinue a lengthy rehabilitation But the Highlanders multi- 14-minute period either side line, as the Highlanders returning from injury, caused Nick Phipps for the Highlanders pack dominated Johansson. which rules him out of the phase play wore down the of the break in which they notched their fifth win in six the Highlanders defence some Highlanders’ first five- possession. Meanwhile injury-cursed remainder of the Super Rugby Rebels, especially in a scored four tries and 24 games to go top of the New early headaches with their pointer. Mackintosh, Smith and All Black and Highlanders season. AAP

FOOTBALL SWIMMING Palmer Ifill gratefully returns to form takes penalty North Shore sprinter , hospitalised with Sam Worthington SCORERS minutes to go in an elimin- glandular fever last year, ation game it was a little bit bounced back to grab a ticket Paul Ifill had thought the Phoenix 3 (Brown nerve-racking and they were to the Olympics on the last A-League’s referees had been 46’, Sigmund 78’, Ifill 85’ pen) doing their best to put me off. On target: Ben night of finals at the State conspiring against him this bt Sydney FC 2 (Chianese 79’, ‘‘It took a long time, it’s Sigmund, left, Andrew New Zealand Swimming season. 82’). nicer when you can just put Durante and Tim Championships in The Phoenix’s talisman the ball down and put it in the Brown celebrate after last night. had twice been outspoken back of the net. Brown scored the The 22-year-old produced after being denied seemingly the Phoenix march on, to play ‘‘I don’t like the waiting opening goal in the her best time in two years to clear-cut penalties during the the winner of tomorrow around but at the end of the Phoenix’s 3-2 win over equal the qualifying standard regular season but it seems night’s Perth Glory-Mel- day I stuck it in the net and Sydney FC in of 25.27sec to win the final of keep asking and you shall bourne Heart elimination we go on, so I’m pretty Wellington last night. the 50m freestyle at the event eventually receive. final. pleased.’’ Photo: FAIRFAX NZ that doubled as the Olympic After Sydney FC’s Joel If Perth win, the Phoenix He has played a lot of foot- trials in Waitakere. Chianese had shocked the are flying to Western Aust- ball but Ifill admitted last The number of individuals still-celebrating Phoenix by ralia, if the Heart come night – with two goals at each under the qualifying time for scoring twice to level the through, then they do it all end within seven minutes – is eight in 14 events scores at 2-2, Ifill weaved his again at Westpac Stadium was fairly dramatic. along with the women’s way into the penalty box, was next weekend. ‘‘2-0 up and I thought the 4x200m freestyle relay, bring- brought down by Michael ‘‘It’s a great feeling, noth- last 10 minutes we could just ing the total to 12. Beauchamp and finally ref- ing’s ever easy here and we keep the ball and do it a little The men’s 4x200 freestyle, eree Chris Beath pointed to made it very hard for our- bit easier. women’s 4x100m freestyle and the spot with four minutes to selves,’’ said Ifill after a pul- ‘‘Three minutes later, men’s 4x100m medley relay play. sating match that unfortu- we’re 2-2 and it’s like ‘oh my teams have met the New Ifill, who had been diligent- nately was played in front of God, this could be the end of Zealand Olympic Committee ly practising his penalties the just 10,019. that’.’’ Phoenix might advance with ing the opener when play did to get to the corner flag to The youngster lopped a criteria and will await a final day before the game, was ‘‘It’s just nice to get a pen at But the show goes on and a regulation 1-0 win. resumed after a scoreless first soak up the raucous Yellow shot over after a Fina invitation in June as one assured under the spotlight, last. not surprisingly the Phoenix If wants to half. In a congested penalty Fever celebrations and Sig- Nick Carle ball had taken a of the four remaining fastest struck it hard and true past ‘‘I probably had two more are crossing their fingers for retire, he’s going a funny way box, the midfielder pounced mund looked to have sealed fortuitous deflection off Mark nations. Ivan Necevski into the top stonewall ones than that but I the sixth-ranked Heart to about it. when good mate the win in the 79th minute Bridge. Experienced North Shore right corner to end Sydney’s still think it was a pen and it upset the third-placed Glory. The Phoenix centurion, nodded a header in his direc- with a trademark powerful Four minutes later Paston swimmer will brave comeback. was nice to be able to dust ‘‘We’re going to have a who is quitting football to hit tion and snapped a close- header. couldn’t hold a Bridge shot be heading to her second Last night’s 3-2 win at myself down and take it. Heart party round at my the books in England, ensured range shot past Necevski. But the Phoenix fell asleep and Chianese had a simple Olympics after going under Westpac Stadium means ‘‘I’ve said I’ve wanted one place,’’ Ifill quipped. he would lace up the boots at The 31-year-old has poss- as Chianese scored literally follow-up for 2-2 before Ifill’s the qualifying time in the season over for Sydney but for a long time, but with four Earlier, it seemed the least one more time by scor- ibly never run faster than he from the kickoff. 86th minute winner. Fairfax NZ 200m backstroke. The 26-year- old clocked 2:10.56 to be 0.3sec under the qualifying mark for London. Sophia Batchelor ROWING from Aquagym was second clocking 2:12.31. The night was sealed with a remarkable 3:35.09 effort by the men’s quartet of Gareth St Margaret’s Hungry Crocs swallow up Breakers Kean, , Daniel Bell and Carl O’Donnell in the 4x100m medley relay. The Marc Hinton SCORERS time would have placed them on roll among sixth at last year’s world The Crocodiles NZ Breakers 82 (Thomas championships, and earned wanted the New Zealand Abercrombie 20, Gary Wilkinson them selection for London, Breakers in this NBL semi- 19, 15), Townsville pending final invitation from Crocodiles 99 (Peter Crawford 26, Maadi medals final series and now we know Fina. 21, Elvin Mims 13, Jacob why. Holmes 12). 1Q: 21-19; HT: 41-44; There was further cel- Kevin Tutty tough; there is not very much The Crocs came to Auck- 3Q: 59-74. ebration when Olympic open between the top crews,’’ said land with a fair idea how they water hope Kane Radford St Margaret’s College lifted Ingham. wanted to play and executed eclipsed the last of Danyon five medals on the first day of Henry Lissaman teamed their game-plan beautifully officially listed at 8146, but Tense time: Breakers Loader’s national records finals at the Maadi Cup with Josh Rodger to win their last night to prevail 99-82 and credit had to go to the Crocs coach when he won the men’s 1500m rowing regatta at Lake gold for Christchurch Boys’ take a firm, and dramatic, who shot the lights out in the issues directions to his freestyle in 15:27.13sec, just Ruataniwha yesterday, and High School. grip on this best-of-three third quarter to set up a troops at Auckland’s 0.23sec under the old mark. will be hunting more today. The only other gold for a series against the Australian stunning upset that snapped Vector Arena last night. North Shore’s Daniel Bell Three of the medals yester- Christchurch school yester- NBL’s defending champions. an 11-game home winning Photo: FAIRFAX NZ had to dig deep over the final day were gold and there was day was won by Christ’s So for the second straight streak. In that pivotal third 15m to come from behind to also a silver and a bronze, a College in the under-18 boys season the Breakers have period the Crocs went 11-of-16 edge Australian-based Roskill good haul from seven finals. lightweight fours. They held come out as flat as a pancake from the floor and swished all Magic sprinter Paul Benson The school has another six off a fast-finishing Tauranga in their playoff opener and four long-range attempts to in the final of the 100m boats in five finals today – it Boys’ College crew by 1.04sec. now face a must-win game at put some serious distance on butterfly. Benson led at the has two boats in the under-15 Marlborough Boys’ College their opponent’s venue – on their hosts – going from 44-41 turn with Bell getting up to eights – and the teacher in won the prestigious Spring- Thursday in Townsville. up at the half to 74-59 on the win in 53.57, with Benson just charge of rowing at the bok Shield in the penultimate Last year, the New Zealand back of a 30-18 quarter. Breakers – with 20 points, the second half to finish with at all after the major break. 0.06sec of a second behind, college, Trudy Keys, is confid- race of the day, the boys’ outfit were good enough to From there the Breakers including four-of-six from 15 points, two boards, three The Crocs, on the other with (Ros- ent the crews can perform under-18 coxed fours. They win their sudden-death clash could find no way back, the deep, to go with five boards assists and five turnovers. hand, were full of form men. kill) third. again. Four rowers – Maddy were the only South Island in Perth behind Kirk Pen- Crocs’ lead growing to 20 and five assists and Gary But , Dillon Sharpshooter Peter Crawford Earlier, Roskill Magic’s Ingham, Olivia Lissaman, crew in the final and they ney’s match-winning 38-point early in the final period and Wilkinson scored 19 points Boucher, C J Bruton and led the way with a game-high Nielsen Varoy defended his Holly Greenslade and Nicola brought the shield back to the haul and eventually made the Breakers never able to get (seven-for-14 shooting). Daryl Corletto all had sub-par 26 points, going nine-of-13 men’s 50m freestyle title in a Wright – picked up two gold South Island for the first time their way to that historic title. it back to single-digits as they The highly touted Cedric games, big only from the field and three-of-five powerful burst in 22.92sec. He medals yesterday and will be since 1999 when Christchurch The Breakers played went into desperation mode. Jackson was a no-show in the saw 12 minutes’ court-time from deep. Eddie Gill easily edged out Australian-based chasing more today. Boys’ High School won the poorly and without the All-NBL first-teamer first half (three points, no (seven points/six rebounds) won the point guard matchup top qualifier Cameron Simp- Ingham, Lissaman and title. emotion they had promised in Thomas Abercrombie kept rebounds, one ), though and first-half impact man with 21 points (7/10 FG). son (Templeton, Christ- Wright won their medals in Marlborough Girls’ Col- front of a record crowd his standards high for the he did get his game going in didn’t see action Fairfax NZ church) by 0.04sec with Carl the under-17 coxed fours and lege finished second in the O’Donnell (North Shore) under-18 lightweight coxed women’s equivalent race, the third. fours, while Greenslade was under-18 girls coxed fours for NZ Olympic squad: Melissa Ingram, also a member of the under-17 the Dawn Cup, but there was GOLF Glenn Snyders, Daniel Bell, Natasha coxed four and won the under- never a chance of success for Hind, Hayley Palmer, , 18 coxless pairs with Kirstyn Marlborough. The race was , Amaka Gessler, , Samantha Lucie-Smith, Mat-

Hay. dominated by and won con- thew0.0 Stanley, Natalie Wiegersma. ‘‘This has made all the vincingly by the defending Halfway leader Martin hobbles around The Hills hard work worthwhile,’’ said champions, St Peter’s School Ingham, referring to the long from Cambridge. hours of training after they Ben Crosbie (St Andrew’s) Nathan Burdon my right foot as well,’’ he said. ing three- and four-round pro- the lead with a five-under 67. much of his round bobbing set their sights on the came close to winning gold in ‘‘It’s not helping because am tournaments. A second- He was joined on 8-under under and over par before national titles at the begin- the day’s first final, the under- Australian Andrew Martin I’m trying to take pressure place finish at the by compatriot Clint Rice and settling for a share of fifth ning of the summer. 17 single sculls. He was edged will play through the pain as away from my blister and PGA championship a fort- former Asian Tour player place, six shots in arrears. The thrill of winning two by 0.41sec by Mitchell he tries to defend a strong putting more pressure on the night ago has given him Mark Purser, the New Zea- Melbourne-based South Storm rain gold medals was doubled for MacKenzie-Mol (Queen Char- lead at the halfway point of ball. Today the medical team confidence his golf is on track. lander a happy man after Korean golfer Jin Jeong Lissaman when her brother, lotte College). the NZ PGA championship at has done a good job strapping With no wind to speak of recovering from one-over produced the lowest round of Henry Lissaman, won a gold Christchurch performed The Hills. it up and I only noticed it the yesterday morning, the nearing the midway point to the tournament so far, a on Knights medal in the boys under-15 well in the under-15 girls Martin’s eight-under 67 last five holes. expected charge on Mark shoot 66. 10-under 62 yesterday which double sculls, immediately coxed quadruple sculls filling during yesterday’s second ‘‘If it stays like that the Brown’s overnight lead failed Purser said the cool early equalled the course record set The Melbourne Storm after her final. second (Christchurch GHS), round has put plenty of next two rounds and I play to eventuate until late in the morning conditions, with an by Peter Fowler at the 2007 comfortably defeated the ‘‘I had to go and give him a third (St Margaret’s), fourth daylight between him and the like I have, I’ll be happy.’’ afternoon. overcast sky helping delay New Zealand Open. Newcastle Knights 34-22 in a hug,’’ she said. The double (Rangi Ruru) and (fifth) competition but he might Martin won the Australian Australian rookie Brody play by about 10 minutes in Gore’s Vaughan McCall, NRL match at AAMI Park in gold medal winners have Burnside High School. need every one of those five amateur title in 2004 and Ninyette, playing in just his the morning due to bad light, who finished the best of the Melbourne last night. another two finals today and But the coveted gold was shots as he hobbles around turned professional at the end fifth professional tournament may have played a part in the three amateurs in the field, in both races the crews have won by St Hilda’s College the undulating Arrowtown of 2006, making it through to but already a runner-up in the lack of scoring during the first missed the cut by one shot Scorers: Melbourne 34 (W Chambers, M Duffie, R Hoffman, T Lowrie, B Slater, G qualified at the top but they (). course on one good leg. the second round of the Queensland PGA, alongside couple of hours. yesterday after posting a Widdop tries; C Smith 5 goals) bt are not resting on their See press.co.nz for rolling ‘‘I’ve got a blister on the European Tour school. Martin, followed up on the Brown’s one-shot lead at second round 73 to go with his Newcastle 22 (J McManus 2, N laurels. updates on today’s races back of my right foot and He has played plenty of promise he showed in the first the start of play quickly even par 72 in the opening Costigan, J Mullen tries; K Gidley 3 goals) at AAMI Park. Referee: Matt

‘‘Both races are going to be involving Canterbury crews. plantar fasciitis on the ball of second-tier golf since, includ- round when he briefly took evaporated and he spent round. Fairfax NZ Cecchin,0.0 Adam Devcich. Crowd: 11,369.