Close Call for Puaikura Victory
What looked certain to be a tie between the two country sides ended in favour of Puaikura. With equal amount of opportunity for both sides to reach the back of the net, neither could finish the task. There were many near goals that had spectators rising from their seats but alas, none were scored for nearly 80 minutes. A handball in the box gave Puaikura the opportunity to be the first to put some points on the board and through the boots of Dwayne Tiputoa the intensity in the atmosphere decreased dramatically for the western side. Titikaveka had fought to the very end of the match to at least even the match, but the final whistle had been blown to give Puaikura victory.
In the previous Senior Women’s match, a similar outcome had taken place. With the entire first half being scoreless for both sides, a corner in favour of Puaikura established their victory. As the ball left the corner zooming through the air, Puaikura’s Daimzel Rongokea was in the right place at the right time to put the ball behind the net with a well placed header. Titikaveka came close to a tie more than once before the final whistle blew to give the undefeated Puaikura side their victory.
Meanwhile Tupapa Maraerenga’s Premier Men and Senior Women had both left the pitch with victories on their home ground against Matavera FC. At the swamp, Nikao Sokattak left everything out on the field with a barrage of goals against hosts Avatiu to bring the game to a smashing 7 – 1 victory. The senior women’s team were equally matched leaving no victor by the final whistle bringing the score to 0 – 0
Results
Titikaveka FC vs Puaikura FC
U7: 2 – 0
U9: 4 – 3
U12: 0 – 2
U14 Boys: 0 – 6
U15 Girls: 0 – 8
U17 Men: 4 – 3
Senior Women: 0 – 1
Premier Men: 0 – 1
Avatiu FC vs Nikao Sokattak FC
U7: 0 – 1
U9: 5 – 0
U12: 6 – 2
U14 Boys: 3 – 0
U15 Girls: 1 – 0
U17 Men: 1 – 7
Senior Women: 0 – 0
Premier Men: 1 – 7
Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Matavera Ngatangiia FC
U7: 2 – 0
U9: 1 – 0
U12: 0 – 1
U14 Boys: 2 – 1
U15 Girls: 0 – 2
U17 Men: 3 – 0
Senior Women: 2 – 1
Premier Men: 2 – 0
