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21st July 2012
Top of the table clashes were first up after the holidays for
a couple of Awakeri's soccer teams on Saturday.
Da Silva Autos Awakeri Comets were at home to Tarawera Strikers in the 9th grade
premier division. Comets had the perfect start when Kevin Paulsen scored with
the first attack of the match, in the first minute. After some great passing
play, Ethan Patterson doubled the lead, before the Kawerau side pulled one back.
Comets scored again from a corner taken by Campbell Forsyth, finished off by
Paulsen. In the second half player of the day Noah Robinson came out of goal
and worked hard as he had his best game out on pitch but two well taken goals
by Tarawera leveled the scores for the game to end in a 3 - 3 draw.
In the 9th grade 1st division, the Awakeri Small Blues all girls team had a
hard but very evenly matched game with Thornton Reds. The score was 1 - 1. Tessa
Dodson scored the Small Blues' goal. Player of the day was Rylee Looney, who
was a defender. She spent most of her time attacking the opposition's goal then
running back to defend hers!
The two unbeaten 8th grade teams faced each other on Saturday: Mags & Tyres
Awakeri Rangers and Kawerau Raiders. Rangers were still in holiday mode for
the first half and were down 2 - 0 at the break. With some words of wisdom from
the coach they came out with a plan which turned the game in their favour, with
Hayden Baxter netting twice to bring it to 2 - 2. The game then settled down
and Awakeri had the better of the play, but couldn't turn their possession into
goals, until player of the day Kaleb Muggeridge scored to make it 3 - 2. A late
drop in concentration allowed a long shot to go in from Kawerau to make it 3
- 3, which was probably a fair reflection of the game.
Awakeri Warriors had a hard fought win against Awakeri Rockers in the 7th grade.
Great passing and use of space saw Oliver Forsyth, Jamie Julian, Katie Mahy
and Elijah Wetting all score. Katie Mahy was awarded player of the day for the
Warriors for her excellent reading of the game and good decision making. The
Rockers' player of the day went to Ashton Turvey for good contesting of the
ball.
The Mainstream Engineering Awakeri Tigers all showed up keen and excited to
be back to their 6th grade football after the holidays. Mary Bragg played really
well, John Tiwha-Smith and Joseph Bateson scored lots of great goals. Jamie
Hawkes was an excellent goalie. Summer Jones was awarded the player of the day
trophy for playing hard and always getting stuck in.
Sixth grade Awakeri Grasshoppers lost none of their magic over the holiday break.
Kylah Lawrence was player of the day and is keeping her high scoring rate ticking
over. Ozaiyah Cornwall and Emma Thompson are proving very hard to beat, Nathan
John and Bailee Lawrence showed some sublime skills. A very big thank you to
Mitchell Du Toit and Jonte Moore who stepped up and gave their talents to another
team who were down on numbers.
The holidays were not so good for Get Fresh Awakeri Sharks in the 13th grade.
Sharks had a poor first half against Saints All Blues, but the second half was
considerably better. Jaspreet Dharmet showed good skills and never gave up,
earning him player of the day. Both Sam Cook and Jared Turvey did well in their
turns in goal. Saints won the game 10 - 0.
Barringtons Motor Lodge Awakeri Wild Cats all girls team lost to Otakiri 6 -
2 in an excellent game of football in the 11th grade 1st division. The sportsmanship
from both teams and their parents was a pleasure and the kids all played well.
Player of the day was Sophie Lawrence, who showed great determination for winning
ball for her team. The goal scorers were Emily Robbie and Emily Julian. Wild
Cats distributed the ball down the wings and there was great ball movement in
front of goal. Ngaio Wilson did well in goal too.
HTL Spreading Awakeri Dragons lost 8 - 0 to Whakatane Thistle. Jake Rowlings
was the player of the day.