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May 15th 2004
Awakeri’s soccer teams were involved in some exciting matches on Saturday.
The youngsters in the Edge Swim School Awakeri Bullets has a very good game
with
their 6th grade opponents from Saints. The 2 - 2 scoreline showed what a close
game
it was. For Bullets, Poppy Langley earned player of the match, while
Nikoli
Christensen, Tiaan Brownless and TJ Penberth also impressed with their endless
energy.
Also in the 6th grade, Awakeri Tigers played very well and were unlucky to lose
2 - 1
to Paroa. Tigers are already starting to develop well and are enjoying their
games.
Joshua Keightley was named player of the match. Shane Hope scored the
goal.
A great game was played by the Awakeri 7th grade Jets against the Thornton Pirates.
Jets went on to win 2 - 0. There was good team play and some great individual
talent
displayed too. Both goalkeepers defended well. Player of the match for the Jets
went
to Cameron Morrison.
Awakeri Kingz had a very even flowing game with the Whakatane Scorpions in the
8th grade. Dean Frost and Kurt Turpie were the goal scorers, while Christopher
Walker picked up the player of the match award.
In the 9th grade Awakeri turned on a convincing performance against Whakatane
Orcas, securing an 8 - 0 win. Player of the match Ben Fretwell shone,
grabbing a
hat-trick, while Caleb Sheather (2), Mark Morrison (2) and Ricky Hollis were
also
among the goals. Awakeri showed good sportsmanship throughout.
There was an Awakeri derby in the 10th grade. Da Silva Awakeri Autos and Drain
Tech Awakeri Diggers had a right good battle. The scoreline ended up favouring
the
Autos 6 - 0, but Diggers certainly made them work for their win. Stephen Glassbrook,
Keanu Carter and Jayden Haddock scored two goals apiece, with Carter also doing
some outstanding lead-up work. Autos player of the match however was Liam
Richards, who showed excellent positional sense in defence. Diggers player
of the
match was Zoe Johnston, who cleared well from defence. She was well supported
by
Sam Schuler and keeper Riki Roia. Up front Rhys Cram worked hard too.
Kawerau’s game plan of sitting back in defence and then breaking out quickly
caught
out the Awakeri Steelers in the 11th grade. Kawerau took the game 6 - 0 in the
end.
Steelers however weren’t as bad as the scoreline might suggest and the
team play is
developing. Brent Gurran earned player of the match with a top all round
game.
The effects of school camp could be seen in the 13th grade Private Asset Awakeri
Aces team. They were lethargic in losing to James Street Hot Shots 4 - 2. Indiana
Brown’s commitment and running in the midfield saw her named player
of the match.
Vincent Sheather and Matthew Bateson knocked in the goals.
Opotiki Black dominated the first half of an exciting match against NewCom
Awakeri in the 15th grade league. Excellent communication combined with accurate
ball forward saw the Awakeri defence stretched and broken on many occasions.
Awakeri backs Brad Armstrong and Neil Sax with keeper Simon Barr worked hard
and managed to keep the half time score to 3-0 to Opotiki.
The second half started badly for both teams with an altercation early on, which
had
two players sent off, leaving both teams with 10 players. Awakeri lifted their
game
and began to put together a top display of football. Midfielders Scott Wilson,
Daniel
Jones and Tyler Hunt began to put the ball wide and into gaps for their forwards
to
run onto. Midfielder Paddy Deegan snapped two quick goals, with striker Richmond
Brown slotting one pass the keeper soon after. Jarred Scoles scored the best
of the day
with a solo effort down the right wing thumping it pass the keeper into the
top left
corner.
Brad Armstrong was named player of the day for Awakeri, with all players
showing
100% commitment. The final score was 4 - 3 to Awakeri.