by Vaughan Hilton
Fraser Tech Women Hold Aces.
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23 May 2004
Intercity Premier Women


Fraser Tech - 2 Rotorua Aces - 2
In arguably the best match of the day, Fraser Tech hosted the classy and physical Rotorua Aces. Aces dominated the midfield possession but Tech were quick in breaking out from deep defense with hard working centre half Nicky Pearce feeding the young tech forwards. NZ U16 trialist Debbie Bell opened the scoring for Tech but the advantage was neutralised by Pirihita Rangitauira slotting into an empty goal when goal keeper Hart became entangled with one of the Aces strikers. With the game in the balance Aces stepped up the tempo of the game with Pearce and Mogsie Stroud continually repelling attacking forays. Julia Mcaskill restored Tech‚s advantage with a well taken PC option but Aces continued to keep the Tech defense hard worked.

Emma Neal, Bell & Mcaskill continued to make fast break outs and only splendid coverage from Aces player of the match, centre half Parekuira Rangitauira and good goalkeeping from Sarah McKenzie prevented Tech from sealing the win. A late goal to left wing Donna Keaney gave Aces a sniff of a win and they through everything they could at the resolute Tech defense. Both sides deserved their point for the draw, but Aces could feel disappointed as they had the better of the game.

Te Awamutu 3 Tauranga 0
Tauranga contested well and dominated the early possession and territory. Te Awamutu were uncharacteristically guilty of wrong option taking and unforced errors. They slowly ground their way into the match and led 1-0 at half time through a Sue Hill field goal. Te Awamutu stamped more authority on the game in the second half and shut out Tauranga with further field goals to Greer Cliff and Maria Dunne.

In away matches Southern United A defeated OnePuke 2-1.
Intercity Premier Reserve Women

Bradleys Bunch Te Awamutu - 4 In-Sign-Out University - I
Bradleys Bunch Te Awamutu met In-Sign-Out University on Friday night. Bradleys Bunch played with more composure and control as their first round Premier experience showed through with Mel Gunderson, Angela Williams, and Maggie Vickers all scoring for 3-0 lead at half time. The students contested with more vigor in the second half but Sarah Hobden increased the advantage before Marie Couper replied for Varsity. Bradleys failed to penetrate the students defense with goalie Hayley Marshall and sweeper Amanda Singh thwarting any further scoring. Stephanie Bint, Hobden, & Diane Rumble all stood out for Bradleys.

Southern United - 1 Papakura - 0
Southern took until midway through the second half to score through Shiree Briffault who slotted home from a rebounded shot off the keeper. After an uneventful 1st half, the game never reached any great heights and both sides were guilty of turning over possession too easily.

Te Awamutu Blue 6 Fraser Tech Dev 1
Te Awamutu dominated their match against Fraser Tech with St Peters schoolgirl Merryn Lala showing her promise in scoring twice and setting up one for Caroline Hamilton. Kev McLean (2) and Kerry Vickers rounded off the scoring. Haylee Milburn replied for Tech.

Intercity Premier Men
Fraser Tech - 4 Papakura - 0
In a game of missed opportunities, Fraser Tech continued their winning form in defeating Papakura 4-0. The Tech forwards continually missed first half opportunities before Brendon O‚Reilly started a fast break with a superb through ball for Grant Goyle Rob Crozier and Joel Rickard to combine with quality one touch passing for Rickard to finish off with a cracking shot high into the Papakura goal. Tech coach Graham Luckin and spectators alike watched in bemusement as scoring chances went unconverted.
2003 NZ 40+ Masters rep, Colin Rundle had an outstanding game in goal for Papakura making multiple saves as the Tech forwards finally found their shooting accuracy. Crozier converted after a goal mouth meelee to stretch the lead mid way through the second half and Grant Goyle made sure Rundle could not intervene in laying off a deft pass for Crozier to slot into an open goal . With the comfort of a 3-0 lead Tech totally dominated the remainder of the match with centre half Pete Nicol featuring prominently. Goyle showed his class finishing off the scoring with a sensational waist high reverse stick shot.





Hamilton Old Boys 5 Kohekohe 1
Bouncing back from last weeks loss, Old Boys played with more composure and control and took the early lead through Steve Deverson slotting in a goalmouth meelee during a PC. Mirroring the first goal, Matt Pullin added a 2nd and Ashley Finn a 3rd from a well worked PC. Ashley Burkhart converted from a penalty stroke and Old Boys threatened to run away with the game. Luke McCaw replied for the visitors to provided some resistance but Andre le Clare goal rounded off the Old Boys scoring for a convincing win.
In other 1st Division matches, Ecolab Suburbs Piako defeated Rotorua Indians 4-1, and Tauranga Old Boys defeated Mt Maunganui 5-1.

Intercity Premier Reserve Men
Eagles BOP 9 Sitech Hire University 2
In the only local Reserve grade game Eagles ran away with game in the second half after both sides appeared evenly matched in the first. Eagles playmaker Richard Guest opened the scoring and other first half goals to Graeme Nel), Shaun Gribble(2 and Damien van den Berg was replied by Varsity‚s Mike Green Hough (2). Eagles ran away with game in the second half for a comprehensive win with Nel(2), Philip Edwards, and van den Berg completing the rout.
In Tauranga, Otumoetai proved too strong for Robinsons Sports University winning 5-1 after leading 2-1 at half time.