It will be Grammar versus King's to decide the destination of the Auckland Secondary Schools Hockey Championship this Wednesday 23 June. The Boys' Hockey First XI won its sixth successive game with a controlled and effective 6-1 defeat of Macleans College at home on Wednesday with two goals apiece from Michael Ritchie and Ben Horne and one each for Cameron Mackie and Alex Hannon.

The team, who welcomed back midfielder Kim Kingstone from injury, opened the scoring in only the second minute with a superb team goal. Ben Andrews' astute cross-field pass found Cameron Mackie who sent an excellent ball through to striker Michael Ritchie to deflect high into the net. Five minutes later, Ben Horne stepped up at a the team's first penalty corner to rifle home an unstoppable shot and claim King's second goal of the game and notch up the team's hundredth goal of the season in only its fourteenth game. Cameron Mackie made it 3-0 with an opportunistic reverse stick shot two minutes before the interval.

In the second half, Macleans reduced the deficit at a penalty corner but further goals from Ritchie, Horne and a sixth goal from Alex Hannon, who finished off excellent approach play from Nick Sissons, sealed a comprehensive victory.

It was a great performance by the team, particularly the excellent distribution around the back and the fine inter-passing through the midfield. Players of the day were Chad Whitehead, Nick Sissons and Jared Panchia.

In other matches, Auckland Grammar beat St Kentigern 1-0 to finish the sixth round of matches equal on points with King's on 18 points which means that on Wednesday, the Boys First XI hosts Auckland Grammar School at King's College in what is effectively the final of the Auckland Secondary Schools Championship, looking to defend their title won in a thrilling match last year. The game starts at 6pm and the team would welcome as much support as possible. The excellent King's support makes all the difference.

Keith Rowley
Coach