Bay of Islands College have the won North Island Senior Hawks Cup Championships for the first time.
St Paul’s College hosted the day at their school as Southern Cross Campus and Bay of Islands College travelled from Counties Manukau and Northland into central Auckland.
The first game of the competition was an absolute thriller between St Pauls and Bay of Islands. In a game that saw the lead change multiple times, St Pauls looked like they had the better of Bay of Islands. Experienced St Pauls player and NZ representative Joel Brown lead from the front as he kicked a goal for his side and marshalled his team on the field. But it was Bay of Islands who showed great movement around the whole field to produce scintillating footy. NZ Hawks Ben Armstrong and Max Stuart were outstanding as their experience showed late in the game to hold on to snatch a 3-point win.
Bay of Islands knew that a win in the final game would secure them the title as Zavarai Beattie kicked 4 goals for against Southern Cross Campus and guided the Northland College home by 13 points to claim the title of North Islands champions for the first time.
With two representative players and great leadership from current AFLNZ Premiership player and NZ Hawk U18 player Ben Armstrong, Bay of island played the better brand of AFL all throughout the competition.
Bay of Islands teacher Dave Scott said the win will impact the participation of the sport within the Northland College.
A number of these players from these teams will now be selected to be a part of the U18 NZ Hawks squad who will be touring Melbourne in early May.
AFL New Zealand would like to say a big thank you to the respective College teams and organisers and in particular, Daniel King from Southern Cross Campus, Mike Jarvis from St Pauls College and Dave Scott from Bay of Islands College.
Player of the tournament: Ben Armstrong (Bay of Islands College)
Game 1: St Pauls College vs Bay of Islands College
Final Score: Bay of Islands College 7.7: 49 def. St. Pauls College 7.4: 49
Goals:
Bay of Islands: Max Stuart 2, Rushom Taylor-Brisevicil 1, Jarrod Hona 1, Ben Armstrong 1, Benjemen Parkinson 1, Zavarai Beattie 1.
St Pauls: Jaelin Murry 3, Joel Brown 1, Steven Edgar 1, Kolo Akauola 1, Vince Ueno
Game 2: St Pauls College vs Southern Cross Campus
Final Score: St Pauls College 10.5: 65 def. Southern Cross Campus 2.7: 19
Goals:
St Pauls: Vince Ueno 3, Jaelin Murry 2, Joel Brown 2, Jirah Moimoisia 2, Cullen Marsters 1.
Southern Cross: Josaian Fuiava 1, Tanina Fipita 1.
Game 3: Southern Cross Campus vs Bay of Islands College
Final Score: Bay of Islands College 9.9: 63 def. Southern Cross Campus 7.8: 50
Goals:
Bay of Islands: Zavarai Beattie 4, Ben Armstrong 2, Jarred Hill 2, Max Stuart 1, Raemon Parkinson 1.
Southern Cross: Elijam Atanoa 2, Tanina Fipita 1, Josaian Fuiava 1, Uaealesi Funaki 1, Naisa Taylor 1.
