23 August 2014

There were lots of goals scored in Awakeri's football games on Saturday.
In the 13th grade Barringtons Motor Lodge Awakeri Wild Cats lost to Whakatane Force 6 - 0. The player of the day was Emily Julian who played goalie. If there is an equivalent of a hat trick for a goalie, she got two of them! She dominated her space well, made loads of saves and when she played like a sweeper cutting off their attacks early, Wild Cats often launched great attacking play from there. Taryn Forbes was another player of the day with her strong runs on the wing and turning out which created lots of opportunities. Wild Cats played a strong all round game for the second week in a row. They were often first to the ball, had good support play and good decision making on defence and attack.
Private Asset Management Awakeri Comets had a good 11th grade premier division game against Saints Shooters who defended well in their game played at St Josephs. In the first half two goals by Cambell Julian and a deflected goal by Ethan Patterson gave Awakeri the lead. In the second half Awakeri kept up the pressure and Kaleb Muggeridge scored before player of the day Cambell Julian completed his hat-trick with the last kick of the game for a 5 - 0 victory. Ben Olifiers had another strong game on pitch while goalies Kevin Paulsen and Ethan Patterson, who became Comets fifth keeper of the season, both performed well in goal.
In the 11th grade 1st division, Awakeri Store Ultimate Strikers played Whakatane Town Dominators, losing 6 – 3. Rhylee Mahy and Maci Bateson were the Awakeri goal scorers. There was some great play from the defenders, with Matthew Reihana-Asquith, who was player of the day, making some strong tackles and putting in one hundred per cent.
A depleted R Mahy Contracting Awakeri Warriors had to dig deep in their game against Ohope in the 9th grade Top Four division. Playing with a player short, Warriors worked together to win 6 - 0. Jamie Julian scored a hat trick with Blake Hermansen scoring twice and Oliver Forsyth rounding it off. Elijah Wetting had an excellent game in goal, making many nail biting saves. Katie Mahy, as usual, had a brilliant game in defence, driving the ball forward for her attacking players. Jamie Julian was awarded player of the day for his commitment and energetic play.
In the 9th grade split league, the SLH Contracting Awakeri Dragons won 4 - 1 against St Joseph Dragons. Again the Awakeri Dragons played really well together. Two goals were scored by Feargus Byers, one by Shaun Snow and one by Mia Sutton. Mia Sutton also took out the player of the day for her awareness and determination in the tackle.
Mainstream Engineering Awakeri Lightning had a tough high scoring game against Opotiki Crushers in the 8th grade. Opotiki won 6 – 5 in the end. Lightning's goal scorers were Miles Ashton, Ollie Fort, John Tiwha-Smith and Phoebe Carter scored two. The player of the day was Addison Dodson, for her attack and follow through.
In the 7th grade, Awakeri Rascals played Allandale first up and had plenty of volunteers to play for the opposing team to make up numbers. Sophie Growden put on the bib and took her spot to face the Rascals and put in some excellent play for Allandale. Jessie Jones had a good shot on goal but it was Kobi Wetting-Davidson who scored a fantastic three goals to give the Rascals a great win. Game two was parents against Rascals. Again Kobi Wetting-Davidson scored the first goal to cries from his Dad that he would never hear the end of it. Max Thompson with his excellent defensive skills saved two goals by putting his body on the line. Sophie Spod nearly scored a goal against her Mum but was saved by one of the Growden parents. Michael Griffiths put in some great runs but the player of the game was his Mum, who scored the equaliser with his little sister in her arms just on the full time hooter. Game three was against Opotiki and saw Sophie Growden have a great attacking run and Kobi Wetting-Davidson yet again scoring two goals to end the game 2-1. Player of the Day was Kobi Wetting-Davidson for his amazing long goal shooting.
7th grade Awakeri Pumas were a bit flat and had to play themselves in the first game due to a Kawerau no show. Pumas played Opotiki in the second game, which was not a very challenging game. The boys need some sterner competition and are ready for a bigger field. Leon Mahy was named player of the day. He is going to be a really solid centre back. He's always focused on the game and seems to naturally enjoy defence. He also does some full on tackles.
There was some great play by Awakeri Sharks in the 6th grade. They were really on to it with their attacking skills and real team play (passing to one another). Their player of the day was Ryan Somerville again. He was awesome on the attack and he just kept chasing the ball until he got it, never giving up.
Awakeri Eagles went well in the 6th grade too and won a couple of games. Asha Van Veen was player of the day.

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