Vaughan Hilton Reports...

University Teams Dominate Week Three

In the Premier Men’s games CBD University continued last week’s goal scoring form in downing a highly fancied Fraser Tech 3-2. Both sides played with a high level of skill and intensity and contributed to the best game of the season thus far. Nick Ross, in his debut game opened the scoring for Tech with a field goal but in form Varsity striker Raynesh Smith beat several defenders then drew Tech goalie Craig Armstrong to lay off for Captain Tony Hopping to slot into the open goal.  Smith was in the action again when deflecting in his shot from an acute angle to give the students a 2-1 half time lead.  Smith deflected in a cross early in the second half to give his side a handy lead but Tech stepped up the tempo and the constant pressure eventually paid off when Zac Woods was given too much space at the top of the circle to rifle in a reverse strike. In a repeat of the last round draw, Hamilton Old Boy’s reversed last week’s slow start to lead The Riv Suburbs Piako 1 nil at half time when Ben Bartels parried in a chest height rebounded save from goalie Justin Butcher . Suburbs defender Ian Haste levelled the scores just after half time when his PC shot was deflected in by an Old Boys defender. Although reduced to 10 men when Suburbs Aaron Barnsdall was sin binned, they sealed the win through a PC strike by Matt Luxford.  Unlike last week’s 4-3 win over Old Boys, Suburbs finished more composed this week to hold on for a deserved 2-1 win.

In the first match of the Premier Women’s competition, Fraser Tech defeated Te Awamutu 3-1 after leading 2 nil at half time. Natasha Cotton opened from a deflection off a PC variation and Shauna Polley showed deft tight skills in rounding the young Te Awamutu  goalie Amber Griffiths-Bell to score. Kim Green sealed the win with a second half PC strike and Courtney Fox deflected in a consolation goal for Te Awamutu.

The Tech women emulated their men in gaining several high calibre players in the off season namely Sophie Wickens and Lymarah Wharerau transferring from Varsity,  Mary-Claire Funnell  & Cotton from Northland, and the emerging young talent of Kim Tanner, Lydia Velzian, Polley  & Kayla Wilson. Australian Michelle Locke takes the reins for Tech as coach after a stint as regional development Officer for the Southern region. Te Awamutu’s new coach Trish McBride has gained the services of Janine Evans & Diane Lamont from Southern Utd, Helen Curry from Thames Valley, and is developing youngsters Jaana Coxhead, Holly Sprosen, Toni Vickers & Griffiths-Bell.

Storage King University B found their CBD University A side a handful succumbing 9-1 after holding their more experienced club mates to 3-1 at half time. A hat trick to Jess Riley and 2 goals each to Catherine Finlayson and Shannon Cochrane paved the way in a second half goal spree.