28 June 2014


In keeping with the World Cup, there were lots of exciting games involving Awakeri's football teams on Saturday.
In the 13th grade Barringtons Motor Lodge Awakeri Wildcats lost 3 – 1 to Saints. Sophie Lawrence scored her first goal of the season and earned player of the day for some great play on the right wing. After a slow start, Wildcats got into gear. A powerful Emily Julian shot was parried by the Saints keeper and Sophie Lawrence put away the rebound. Gemma Baldy and Emily Robbie ran hard all day as centre midfielders.
Private Asset Management Comets had a very entertaining game away to competition leaders Kawerau in the 11th grade premier division. They had the perfect start when Kevin Paulsen got onto the end of an Ethan Patterson cross to score an early goal, he then added a second shortly after. Kawerau came back to take the lead at half time and scored again early in the second half to go 4 - 2 up. Comets didn't give up and player of the day Zoe Bennett, who battled well in midfield, had a good run and perfect cross for Ethan Patterson to score Awakeri's third. Comets kept on pressing but were unable to get an equaliser in a very competitive game. It was an excellent all round team performance by Comets.
Also in the 11th grade premier, HTL Spreading Awakeri Crushers played their first game since being pushed up into that grade. They lost 7 - 1 at Allandale Dean Dynamites. Olivia Sheaff was the scorer, with the much improved Meadow Smith player of the day.
With the odds stacked against them, Awakeri Store Ultimate Strikers played well against Kawerau team two in the 11th grade 1st division. Kawerau had won comfortably in a previous meeting, but this time Strikers had the upper hand. Rhylee Mahy shot the winner in the last minutes to nab a 1 – 0 win. Awakeri controlled possession and the team used good positional play with great defence and passing. Maya Wills had a strong game and got player of the day.
In the 9th grade, R. Mahy Contracting Awakeri Warriors had a comfortable win over Kawerau 6 - 0. Jamie Julian and Oliver Forsyth each scored twice, with Blake Hermansen and Frank Butler also scoring. Katie Mahy was awarded player of the day for her fantastic defensive play.
SLH Contracting Awakeri Dragons went down 4 - 0 to Whakatane G Force in the 9th grade. It was an entertaining game to watch. Dragons had a number of chances to score and Whakatane scored some great goals. Dragons had few players away and only managed six on the field but those six battled all game and played their hearts out against the seven of Whakatane. Therefore the player of the day went to the team, who made all of the Dragon supporters very proud.
In the 8th grade, Mainstream Engineering Awakeri Lightning had a fabulous game against Saints Stingers. It was very close and nail-biting all the way. Lightning's player of the day was Marshall Foxx who really pushed himself, attacking the ball and not giving it up easily. Three of our six goals were scored by our star striker of the day Jon Tiwha-Smith. Phoebe Carter, Ollie Fort and Miles Ashton also conquered the excellent defence of Saints and managed to score the other three goals, resulting in a 6 – 6 draw!!
Awakeri Rascals had another great day in the 7th grade, with three wins from four games. Kobi Wetting-Davidson is well on the way to getting the golden boot with nine goals. Gemma Snow showed great form and got in amongst the play. Jessie Jones showed the boys in the opposing teams how it is done and came away with three goals and player of the day.
The Awakeri Eagles are improving with every game in the 6th grade and are starting to work as a team. Three players scored their first goal this week: Aramia Hanlen, Frankie Yerex and Barclay Fort, but Jay McKane got player of the day for his fantastic footwork to scored two goals in one game.
Also in the 6th grade, Awakeri Sharks played four great games. Nathan Reihana-Asquith was player of the day as he got involved in all the games and did lots of good work.
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