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June 14th 2003
Awakeri’s soccer teams had widely varying fortunes on Saturday.
Awakeri Adamson’s Amcal Pharmacy Awakeri Athletic were able to field a
full
strength side when they played away to Kawerau in the 13th grade. Ben McPherson,
James Wilson and Hayden Te Moana combined well up front, continually testing
the
Kawerau defence. McPherson scored first for Awakeri after a lovely cross from
Te
Moana. Te Moana almost scored soon after but was ruled offside. The Awakeri
defence was very tight and the goalie had a very quiet first half. The game
stepped up
a notch in the second half with some excellent positional play from Kawerau
but
Awakeri capitalised on mistakes and McPherson, Wilson and Jonathan Whitaker
added to the Awakeri Score sheet. Kawerau never gave up and scored from a corner
and a quickly taken free kick close to the Awakeri goal. Excellent passing and
positional play by both sides allowed a fast clean game. Athletic’s player
of the match
went to Mark Ernest for his sound defence. Neil Sax also had a top game. The
final
score was 4 - 2 to Awakeri.
In the Junior High School Girls’ League, Awakeri were missing a few players
and
were grateful to their helpers for making up the numbers. Awakeri went down
to
Whakatane High School 3 - 0. Hannah Searle earned player of the match with some
excellent tackling and positional play. Keeper Ellice Shaw did well too, stopping
some good shots. Danniella Palmer mesmerized her larger opponents with some
grand runs, some the length of the field.
A very determined Awakeri Aces took to the field in the 11th grade on Saturday
against Whakatane Three to come away with a very sound 5 - 1 victory. It was
mainly
one way traffic for the Aces until the Whakatane team started to warm up and
get
back into the game. However, they had left their run too late. Some fine goal
keeping
by Robbie Sonntag and Mathew Reeves kept them out. Player of the match went
to
Finn Kamphorst for great attacking play and scoring two goals. He narrowly missed
his hat-trick.
Also in the 11th grade, Total Power Awakeri Rangers found themselves a goal
up
after just 3 minutes, thanks to a strike by Hawea Mansell. Unfortunately this
was to
be their only goal, while they had to watch as a skilful Ohope side scored five
times
against them. Vikki Lowndes in defence had a wonderful game and was awarded
player of the match. She stopped many attacks and cleared the ball well. Others
who
battled well were Matthew Richmond and Sean McLean. To their credit Rangers,
never stopped trying and put together some good football.
Awakeri Hurricanes had a miserable 10th grade game against Ohope, going down
9 -
1. One of the few to do well was Kane Wakefield. He earned player of the match
with
his hard work. Matthew Fulton scored the goal, while Lindsey Cotter also did
his bext
in defence.
9th grade Da Silva Awakeri Autos played Otakeri Ratbags and won. The score was
2
- nil. One goal by was scored by Jayden Haddock, the other by Stephen Glassbrook.
It
was a good game by all players. A lot of the game was played in the Autos half
of the
field with lots of shots at goal but just not quite getting there. A few players
that
played extra well today were Sydney Jones, who had a good game up front, and
Mathew Orr and Kararaina Kingi, who had solid games in defence. Kingi and Orr
really worked hard together to cover on defence, which resulted in the goalie
not
having to touch the ball once in the second half! The player of the day was
Mathew
Orr.
Also in the 9th grade, Draintech Awakeri Diggers gave Edgecumbe their hardest
game of the year, holding them to a 1 - 1 draw. Cameron Rio-Kumeroa put in a
huge
efort and was deservedly named player of the match. Mark Burnetthad a very good
game in goal, to keep Edgecumbe at bay. Taylah Bateson had a busy game too,
while
Sam Schuler had lots of attempts at goal. Gareth Rowlands grabbed Diggers’
goal.
Awakeri Steelers lost their 8th grade game 7 - 2 to a very good Ohope team.
Steelers
were down 4 - 0 at half time and produced a good fight back in the second half.
Jessica Davis was named player of the match. Thomas Attewell and Mark Morrison
knocked in the goals.
Awakeri Rockets had a great game against Ohope in the 7th grade, although going
down 2 - 0. All of the Awakeri players have improved greatly. Player of the
day Luke
Matchitt had a solid game on attack and defence.
Also in the 7th grade, the Awakeri Kingz had a forgettable outing, losing 5
- 0 to the
Ohope Dragons. Blake Cossey kept up a good attitude throughout and was named
player of the match.
Awakeri 6th Grade did well with only four players this week, to record a 3 -
0 win
against St Josephs. Sam McPherson was the scorer of all goals. Jennifer Cram
and
Oliver Richmond were solid in attack with Nikki Turpie being awarded player
of the
day for a great all-round performance.
Awakeri Mysterios 15th grade fixture with Edgecumbe was postponed.