Saturday’s match between Nikao Sokattak and Tupapa Maraerenga, in the Tower Insurance premier men’s division, brought out a grandstand of cheers and a field drenched in hard work and sweat.
Nikao started hungry for a goal, with constant attacking and being given many chances but the Tupapa side had them cornered on field wanting to gain possession of the ball. Nikao made several attempts to meet the net but couldn’t seem to break through Tupapa’s brick wall defense who kept denying any Nikao players a view of the goal.
Nikao’s Jack Poiri sent through a ball towards the goal in the first 20 minutes of the game, which would’ve given striker Alphy Ngire a touch to goal but hard to beat defender John Noovao made sure to deny him access.
Gaining a corner kick in the final minutes of the first half, Anthony Samuela used this opportunity to reach the net, sending the ball towards Peni Titiona who used a header to gain their final and winning goal. Multiple shots were made by the Nikao side to even out the playing fields but a tough Tupapa team weren’t going to let that happen.
At Titikaveka field, Avatiu gave Titikaveka a good run but fell one short from a victory, ending their match at 4-3 to Titikaveka. On Friday, Puaikura’s last minute goal in the second half gave them their 1 nil win when playing against Matavera.
For the Islander women’s division, Tupapa Maraerenga started their match off stout adding two goals from corner kicks distributed by Elizabeth Harmon which were then launched through with a header and boot of forward players Mii Piri-Savage and Kuramaeva Tare respectively. A penalty kick taken by Shanon Van Eijk put a mark to Nikao’s score board ending the first half 2-1, but Tupapa put in another goal by youngster Adrianna Hauser ending their second half with a win and taking with them their undefeated title.
Titikaveka women’s team battled hard against Avatiu regaining their form and redeeming themselves from their recent loss with a 3-nil win, on Thursday Puaikura and Matavera found it hard to get any balls pass both defense sides forcing them to end their match at nil all.
Full Results:
U6 Mix:
Puaikura FC vs Matavera: 4-0
Titikaveka FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 2-1
Titikaveka FC vs Avatiu FC:
U8 Mix: 1-1
U10 Mix: 0-4
U12 Mix: 3-6
U15 Boys: 0-5
U15 Girls: 0-1
U18 Men:0-2
Senior Women: 3-0
Premier Men: 4-3
Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Nikao Sokattak FC:
U8 Mix: 2-0
U10 Mix: 3-1
U12 Mix: 2-2
U15 Boys: 0-4
U15 Girls: 0-0
U18 Men: 0-1
Senior Women: 3-1
Premier Men: 1-0
Puaikura FC vs Matavera FC:
U8 Mix: 0-4
U10 Mix: 2-1
U12 Mix: 0-2
U15 Boys: 0-4
U15 Girls: 0-0
Senior Women: 0-0
Premier Men: 1-0
