13September
Oops
Intercity Champions Fraser Tech and Te Awamutu were both beaten in close finals matches.

In the ABN AMRO Craigs match of the day Southern United capped off an excellent finale to the season in defeating defending champions Te Awamutu in sudden death extra time. Te Awamutu failed to convert first half territorial dominance into goals as a resilient Southern defence repelled attacks outside of the circle. With the scores locked up nil all at half time Southern fought their way back into the game and both sides traded possession and territory. Te Awamutu striker Michele Whitehead broke the deadlock late in the second half with a deft touch from a PC. The goal brought the game alive as the Southern forwards threw everything at the Te Awamutu defence and were quickly rewarded when Shannon Dickson coolly reverse flicked her shot over an outstretched Lizzie Holmes. In their second successive final requiring sudden death extra time Te Awamutu looked favoured to clinch victory but Southern played with inspired intensity to snatch victory through a Janine Parry PC shot. The win was just reward for Southern Coach Darren Richardson who has lifted their game throughout the season.

The Men's final was an equally hard fought encounter with Fraser Tech gaining the early ascendancy. Warren Phillips, Grant Goile and Richard Petherick contested possession well and put pressure on the Suburbs midfield. Influential Suburbs midfielders Ian Haste & Jeff Rosemergy showed maturity in their option taking and ability to alter their game plan to slowly swing the game Suburbs way. Just as Suburbs looked to be taking control of the first half they conceded a soft goal to Tech striker Rob Gunn. Suburbs kept their composure and restored parity through a Jonny Forbes goal. Both sides traded midfield possession throughout the second half but Tech looked to restore their dominance on the game as the half wore on. Poor PC option taking left Tech rueing chances lost and Suburbs snatched victory through an Ian Haste PC shot and two goals to player of the match Jeff Rosemergy. Tech continued to press forward but Suburbs held on for a hard fought but flattering 4-1 victory.

In other finals both Reserve Grade games were won by the more experienced teams with New World University downing their club counterparts Robinson's Sports Museum University 8-3 with veterans Hayden Steel (4) and Russ Brennan (3) the recipients of some quality passes from their midfield. Greg Brown completed the scoring. In reply Kane Steward, Pradip Dahya, and N Lardelli provided some consolation for the students.

Bradleys Bunch Te Awamutu capped off a solid season and shared the scoring around in defeating In-Sign Out University 6-1 to win the Reserve women's title. Mel Gunderson(2), Angela Williams, Sarah Hobden, Stephanie Bint, and Maggie Vickers all scored for Bradley's whilst Monique Hall provided the lone consolation goal.

Suburbs BJ capped off a good day for the club in upsetting Inkfish University 2-1 to win the 3rd Division title. Two Hadlee Bird goals provided the buffer with Malcolm Short scoring for Varsity. Marist A defeated Ngaruawahia 4-1 in a game more closely contested than the scoreline suggests to clinch the women's third division. Colleen Brimblecombe(2)Collette MacDonald and Sharon Sun scored for Marist whilst Courtney Fox provided the consolation.

Piopio proved too strong for Fraser Tech C in the 4th division prevailing 5-2, K Stubbs(2) L Doull, B Thornton, & J Donaldson netting for Piopio with S Becker and H Craig for Tech. First half dominance paved the way for Delta Copy University in taking the 4th Division women's title with a comprehensive 6-3 victory over Marist B. Kirstie Thompson (4), Ricki-Lee Poananga, & Wilmari Geldenhuis scoring for the students with Wendy Smith (2) and Collette MacDonald for Marist.

Next week sees the first round of the men's and women's National Hockey League with Midlands hosting last years champions Wellington in Mt Maunganui.