Page 134 - NHS Beyond the Classroom
P. 134
School Squash Team 3rd in NZ 1987
At the beginning of 1987 a team of boys was After losing in the semi-finals the team met
pulled together from a big effort by Mr Arnie a very evenly matched Hamilton Boy’s High
Paurini (PE Teacher) to form the Ngaruawahia squad in the play-offs for 3rd and 4th place. Kore
High School Boys Squash team. Huirama (No.3) was the first to play. Showing a
At first School Certificate and attendance at wide range of shots he gave the team a vital win
school was a major worry in a controversial over his opponent. Next on court was David
decision on whether to complete in the tournament Ingram (No.4). He gave his all but lost to a better
held in Wellington, or stay at home. player. The opponent for Jason Todd (No.1) was
On deciding to attend the third New Zealand another Waikato representative. After a long
Secondary Schools Squash Championship, the struggle Jason fell to the Waikato U-17 No.1.
team consisted of Jason Todd (Under-15 Being 1-2 down in the match Tau Huirama
Champion), Kore Huirama and Darren Todd. (No.5) took the court and gave his opponent few
There was also a further three recognized Squash chances to score points, and easily won bring the
players in Tau Huirama, David Ingram and match tally to 2-2.
Karn Sherrard, all of whom travelled to By this stage Mr Arnie Paurini (Coach) was
Wellington. extremely nervous. All other matches had finished
After a shaky start at the Capital, the 4th so the auditorium was filled with spectators. Last
seeded Ngaruawahia High settled down and easily to play was Darren Todd (No.2). After a long
beat their first opponent St Pats of Wellington, tiring effort he pulled his side through to victory,
showing their superior skill and agility. and 3rd place in New Zealand.
In the second match (against Aotea College) At the prizegiving the awards were
Ngaruawahia was not pushed, with all members presented to the teams by the well-known NZ
playing with confidence, winning all of their Squash icon Susan Devoy.
second-round matches respectively.
Upon reaching the quarter-finals Tournament Results:
Ngaruawahia met a well-balanced Tokoroa side. Ngaruawahia 5, St Pats Wellington 0
Against this determined team Ngaruawahia won, Ngaruawahia 5, Aotea College 0
but also showed lapses in concentration. Ngaruawahia 3, Tokoroa High 2
After winning the quarter-finals it was Semi-Finals
straight to the semi’s. Making it this far was quite Ngaruawahia 1, Westlake Boy’s High 4
an achievement, which put all of the team 3rd/4th Playoff
members on a high. Our next opponents was the Ngaruawahia 3, Hamilton Boy’s High 2
top-seeded Westlake Boys High from Auckland
which fielded the Auckland Under-19s No.2,
Under-17s No.2, Under-15s No.1 and two well-
known Auckland players.
Against this extremely skillful side
Ngaruawahia gave it a 100% effort. They pushed Local 1987 Inter-School Results
their opponents all the way but ended up losing to Ngaruawahia 5, Huntly College 0
a better team. Ngaruawahia and Auckland Ngaruawahia 5, Papakura 0
Grammar were the only two schools to win a Team members: Darren Lichtwark,
match against Westlake, who went on to win the Matthew Gurnell, James Clark & Roderick
Tournament. Morse.
Karn Sherrard Darren Todd Darren Lichtwark Tau Huirama Roderick Morse
