The Waikato has been well represented at the Y5/6 Girls tourney in Napier this week with both teams making Wednesdays finals.

The Development team played Horewhenua and found their opposition more resilient than in their pool encounter with the teams locked up nil all at half time. Taking the lead through a Melissa Caird goal, Waikato were rocked with two quick replies and also had to contend with a strengthing South Westerly gale. Playing into the wind, Waikato fought bravely but could not force the equaliser. Horewhenua scored a late goal to win 3-1. This years Development team was a good mix of year 5's and 6's and had the benefit of an excellent coach in Hayden Steel. During pool play the Waikato development team crushed Poverty Bay 4-0 with Lori-Lee Emery, Maria Tims(2), & Abby Wilson scoring. They followed this up with a pool topping 5-2 win over finals winners Horewhenua with regular goalie Melissa Caird showing versatility in scoring twice, Emery, Nicole Calderwood and Timms also scored. It was a bit tighter vs Wgtn Dev with a solid strike by Sophie Juno the difference.The A's started with a tough encounter against hosts Hawkes Bay and a Shaunna Polly goal broke the deadlock minutes from fulltime. Goal scoring has been hard with some fine defensive work by the Bay goalie but the A's were worthy winners. Not to be out done The A's found Wellington A an easier proposition and scored a convincing 5-0 win with Larrissa Owen(2), Ellie Mccleery, Holly Sprosen and Georgia Beaver all finding form in the circle. In the semi's their scoring form deserted them as a fired up Taranaki side packed their defence to almost send the game into strokes. Kyla Hill, emulating her mothers finishing prowess deftly reversed her shot close to the post for the winner.