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June 12th 2004
The top of the table clash in the 10th grade was the Awakeri Soccer Club’s
highlight
on Saturday. Da Silva Awakeri Autos took on league leaders James Street Rebels.
Autos’ forwards put it together very well in the first half, shooting out
to a 4 - 0 lead.
However Rebels came back with a fury after half time, to score three times and
keep
the supporters of both teams biting their nails till the final whistle. Autos
won the
game 4 - 3. Jayden Haddock put in a tremendous performance in the midfield to
earn
player of the match. The Autos’ goals were scored by Haddock, Keanu Carter
(2) and
Alex Christensen. Matthew Orr-McKeown and Jemma Shaw were tenacious in their
defence.
Also in the 10th grade, Drain Tech Awakeri Diggers had a good battle with Ohope
One. Gareth Rowlands and Sam Schuler scored goals for Diggers, although they
eventually lost 2 - 4. Logan Munro’s excellent work in defence had him
named player
of the match. Rowlands, and Rhys Cram also had good games.
Awakeri Dragons had a pulsating 9th grade game against Saints. Saints shot out
to a 3
- 0 lead. However player of the match Mark Morrison turned in a stand out
performance. He scored quite a few goals, the result of good team passing and
support
play and Dragons eventually won the game 7 - 5.
Opotiki Gunners needed to loan of some Awakeri Jets players for their 7th grade
game. Konar Jarrett and Jade Hollis sportingly put on the yellow jerseys. Sam
Holani
ran himself ragged and was named player of the match. Taylah Wakefield did very
well in defence, while Zac Fretwell played well up front.
In the 6th grade, Awakeri Tigers were excited to win their first game. Tigers
continue
to improve and good pressure had them win the game 1 - 0. Mekaela Learmond’s
good play saw her named player of the match. Joshua Keightley, Dillon Murray,
Liam
Sanson and Daniel Gow all went on some good runs up the field.
The 6th grade Edge Swim School Awakeri Bullets once again played an awesome
game. The Bullets’ players showed improvement in skills and endurance.
Poppy
Langley scored her first goal for the season and the first goal of the day,
against
worthy opponents, Saints. Nikoli Christensen scored the other 3 goals, bringing
the
win to 4 - 1. Thomas Holani showed much determination and was awarded player
of
the match.
Results were harder to get in the older age groups.
Only able to just field a 11 man squad, Awakeri NewCom 15th grade dominated
play
against the strong Kawerau side. The first half saw this young team putting
good ball
forward. When asked to defend, they were organised and committed. Awakeri had
good opportunities on the Kawerau goal but the finishing and tight defence kept
the
game score-less at half time.
Both sides came out firing again in the second half with good breaks coming
from
Richmond Brown, Daniel Goodhew and Paddy Deegan for Awakeri. Good keeping by
Kawerau kept them out. A good break from the Kawerau midfield 10 minutes from
full time saw a top ball through for their forwards. With only the keeper to
beat, their
centre forward slotted the ball home. Awakeri never gave up and pushed forward
but
could not score.
A deserving Tyler Hunt was again named player of the match for his 100%
commitment and tireless effort in attack.
The final score was 1 - 0 to Kawerau, this showed a significant improvement
by
Awakeri since the first round.
In the 13th grade, Private Asset Management Awakeri Aces put a lot of pressure
on
the Edgecumbe goal in the first half, but couldn’t put their chances away.
In the
second half Edgecumbe caught Aces out and scored the only goal. Kimberley Byres
had a good game in the forwards and earned player of the match.
Total Power Services Awakeri Rangers played Otakiri Wildcats in the 13th grade,
at
the Edgecumbe Domain. Both teams passed well and kept each other scoreless most
of the first half. Rangers had plenty of opportunity to score but it wasn’t
until player
of the day, Cody Fowell finished off a goal mouth attack that Rangers went 1
- 0
ahead. Otakiri looked like equalising several times in the second half and but
great
defending by Russell Sisam kept the game exciting to the final whistle. The
final
score remained 1 - 0 to Rangers
In the 11th grade, Awakeri Steelers put pressure on their Edgecumbe opposition
and
kept them scoreless in the first half. Despite plenty of hassle from Steelers,
especially
player of the match Brent Gurran, Edgecumbe eventually got ahead and won 5 -
0.
Matthew Richmond was unlucky to see his shot hit the post.