NZ Curling

Local Auckland schools came out on top in the national curling championships last weekend at Paradice Avondale.

Watched by National Junior selectors Peter Becker and Merv Jamieson (who were in Auckland with the Maniototo boys), Long Bay College (mixed), Baradene College (girls) and Birkenhead College (boys) emerged victorious.

In superb conditions on ice groomed through the night, the Birkenhead team of Min Woo Yim, Jonny Yoon and Yuki Mori beat Henderson (Brittany Taylor, Cory Mills, Tony Hill and Kyle Calder) 11-1 in the boys' final with Massey Ramrod beating KBHS Red 6-0 for third. Earlier, Birkenhead had to come back from 1-5 after three ends against Massey Frosties to win 9-6 and book their place in the final.

It was always close in the girls with the Baradene combo of Lee-ande Hill, Florence Ng and Katherine Yip prevailing over the AGGS team of Ophir Karan, Elizabeth Henty, Samantha Koo and Natalie Sargon on a countback after the teams had been tied on four points after section play.

The 8-5 win by Baradene over Auckland Girls Grammar in their head-to-head clash was the decider.

The intensity of competition in all grades underlined the popularity of the sport and again emphasised the need for a purpose-built facility which the sport hopes to be building in mid-2008.

The fair play awards went to Kieran Ford, Natalie Sargon, Keswick Pearson and Jordan Reid-Ward. Min Woo Yin, Taylor, Reagan Lupi and Emily Whelan were named players of the tournament.

Full Results

Boys Medallists - from left Massey HS Ramrod (2nd), Birkenhead College (1st), Henderson HS (2nd)
Mixed Champions - Long Bay College
Girls Medallists - from left Auckland Girls (2nd), Baradene College (1st), Epsom Girls (3rd)
Fair Play Sportsmanship Award Winners - Keswick Pearson (Massey High School), Natalie Sargon (Auckland Girls Grammar School), Jordan Reid-Ward (Massey High School), Kieran Ford (Kelston Boys High School)
Players of the Tournament - Min Woo Yin (Birkenhead College), Brittany Taylor (Henderson High School), Emily Whelan (Epsom Girls Grammar School), Raegan Lupi (Kelston Boys High School)
Brett Sargon (Kelston Boys High School) delivers while Patch Bowen prepares to sweep
Brittany Taylor (Henderson High School) gives her stone undivided attention
Raegan Lupi (Kelston Boys High School) delivers under the watchful eyes of sweepers Patch Bowen and Brett Sargon
Sam Brady (Massey High School) shows his form