The Nikao Sokattak premier men’s round cup title hopes are over following their defeat to Puaikura over the weekend.
Puaikura ended Nikao’s campaign when they defeated the side 3-0. Pekay Edwards opened the books for Puaikura in the 11’ minute of the match heading the ball past Nikao goal keeper Tahiri Elikana.
The scores were locked at 1-0 for majority of the match despite many promising goal scoring opportunities coming about for both sides. The most promising opportunity came for Nikao in the second half when a penalty was given for them in the box. Cajun Willis stepped up to attempt to level the scores but his shot went wide of the goal.
It wasn’t until the last 10 minutes of the match where Puaikura secured the win when Edwards picked up his second goal and Campbell Best found the net for Puaikura taking the final score to 3-0.
Edwards’ goal came from a well weighed chip over the Nikao defense line by Best, which put him in a one-on-one situation with the goal keeper that he didn’t miss and Best’s goal scored just two minutes later was a cross delivered in by Edwards which he headed past the keeper.
Just a day before, the matchup between Tupapa Maraerenga and Avatiu was held, a match up which both the Tupapa senior women and premier men secured wins. Tupapa’s premier men secured a 9-1 win while the Tupapa senior women took out a close 1-0 victory over Avatiu to win the women’s round cup.
Tupapa’s goals in the men’s division were scored by Grover Harmon (3), Mii Joseph, Lee Harmon, Geoffrey Strickland (2), Jason Potoru and an own by Avatiu also added to their result while Avatiu’s goal was scored by Braden Kamana. The Tupapa women’s championship winning goal was scored by Amy Herman.
Tupapa’s victory in the men’s division meant that Nikao needed to win against Puaikura to stay in the race for the round cup championship trophy. However, after Nikao’s upset result, Tupapa have won the cup for the third year running.
In other matches, the Titikaveka senior women secured second place in the round cup through their win over Matavera-Ngatangiia and Puaikura have sealed their third placed finish through their win over Nikao.
FULL RESULTS FROM ROUND 12:
Puaikura FC – Nikao Sokattak FC
Premier Men 3-0
Senior Women 4-1
U-17 Men’s 2-2
U14 Boys 6-0
U14 Girls 5-0
U11 Mixed 1-0
U9 Mixed 0-1
U7 Mixed 0-2
Matavera-Ngatangiia FC – Titikaveka FC
Premier Men 1-2
Senior Women 0-7
U14 Boys 0-3
U14 Girls 1-0
U11 Mixed 0-0
U9 Mixed 0-3
U7 Mixed 4-1
Tupapa Maraerenga FC – Avatiu FC
Premier Men 9-1
Senior women 1-0
U-17 Men 4-0
U14 Boys 2-1
U-14 Girls 0-2
U11 Mixed 0-3
U9 Mixed 2-0
U7 Mixed 7-0
