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Report of games 23 August 2003
A number of Awakeri’s soccer teams were involved in crucial
games on Saturday, as
the season nears its end.
The Awakeri girls team finished their season with a 2 - 1 win against Trident
High
School in the Junior High School Girls league. Awakeri rounded off a five match
unbeaten streak with a sound team effort in this tight and exciting game. Sarah
Macdonald scored two lovely goals to seal the win. She was well backed up by
player
of the match Katie Collins and another great effort from the Searle sisters
Hannah and
Emma.
In the 15th grade, Awakeri Mysterios had a see-sawing first half against Ohope.
Ohope took the lead, then Mysterios bounced back. Good work from Steven Smit
set
up Sean Wright for a header. It was saved, but Wright collected the rebound
and, with
his back to the goal, volleyed it over his shoulder for a spectacular goal.
Reender
Buikema continued his recent good form with a solo run and a strong shot and
then he
set up Wright for a perfect sidefoot goal. However Ohope had also been busy
and the
half time score was 3 - 3. Mysterios tired in the second half and Ohope capitalised
on
some great passing and movement to run away to a 6 - 3 win. Mysterios also had
their
chances, and Ian Sisam was specially unlucky when his header was cleared off
the
line at a corner. Sean Wright’s performance nabbed him the player of the
match
award.
Another top performance by Awakeri Adamson’s Pharmacy 13th grade team when
they played at home against a young but exciting Kawerau team. Both teams
displayed excellent communication and skill level in the first quarter with
attacks
being turned around by sound defence and dedicated goal keeping. Continued
pressure from Awakeri saw their forwards putting some powerful shots on the
Kawerau goal. Jonathan Whitaker finally put one into the back of the net after
an
accurate cross from Ben McPherson.
The pace of the game stepped up a notch in the second half with some excellent
positional play from Kawerau but Awakeri capitalised on a mistake and McPherson
scored off a layback from a free kick. McPherson was in action again shortly
after
with a lofted ball toward the Kawerau goal, which Neil Sax headed past the keeper.
Leonard Sonntag made short work of another good ball into the zone a couple
of
minutes before full time.
Kawerau never gave up and will be a strong side next year. Awakeri’s player
of the
match went Neil Sax, with full effort from the whole team. The final
score was 4 - 0
to Awakeri.
A four day camp to the snow took its toll on the 11th grade Awakeri Aces, in
their
important clash with Opotiki. Aces tried hard , but were beaten to the ball
on many
occasions and Opotiki took their chances well to run out deserved winners 4
goals to
2. The scorers for Aces were Matthew Bateson and Vincent Sheather, while Paul
Haslam was named player of the match, for his man to man marking. This exciting
game went right to the wire, but over the last few minutes a tiring Aces let
Opotiki
score twice. Aces look forward to their final match of the season this Saturday.
In a very close 11th grade game, Total Power Services Awakeri Rangers had a
good
battle with Edgecumbe. Player of the match Matthew Richmond made a number
of
excellent saves to keep his team in the game. Meanwhile up front, James Attewell
and Madison Constantine were always a threat to the Edgecumbe goal. Attewell
scored the goal in a 1 - 3 loss.
A four goal haul by Keanu Carter was a feature of Da Silva Awakeri Autos 9th
grade
game against Opotiki Volcanics. However the whole team combined very
well, and
were collectively given the player of the match award. Jayden Haddock (2), and
Stephen Glassbrook also put away goals, in the 7 - 1 win.
Also in the 9th grade, Draintech Awakeri Diggers did well to come away with
a 2 - 0
win against Allandale. The Diggers defence was very strong with Taylah Bateson,
Rhys Cram, Sam Schuler and player of the match Zara Fowell all doing
their jobs
well. Riki Roia and Gareth Rowlands scored the goals.
7th grade Awakeri Rockets played against Allandale and won 1 - 0 after Allandale
scored an own goal. Luke Matchitt and player of the match Kurt Turpie
showed great
skills on the field for Rockets.
Awakeri Kingz had one of their best games of the season, in a 1 - 1 draw with
Saints
in the 7th grade. Tautari Merito earned player of the match for his non-stop
running
throughout the game. Christopher Walker scored the goal to cap off a fine game
from
him too.
Awakeri 6th grade played like true champions. Sam McPherson scored the first
goal
with Cameron Morrison, Konar Jarrett, Sam Holani and Oliver Richmond also
scoring, bringing the score to 5 - 0 against Allandale. Although it was the
boys who
scored, they were well supported by the girls. Nikki Turpie was everywhere the
ball
was, giving her team players good support. Jennifer Cram worked hard getting
the
ball out of tight situations and into the field of play. Player of the day was
a tough
decision and was awarded to Konar Jarrett for his consistent effort throughout
the
game.