Football: Tauranga Boys' College clear at top of Premiership table

Tauranga Boys' College have jumped three points clear at the top of the table after pummelling neighbours, Tauranga Blue Rovers, 6-2 at Pemberton Park. Photo/File

Tauranga Boys' College have jumped three points clear at the top of the Loaded WaiBOP Premiership table after pummelling neighbours Tauranga Blue Rovers 6-2 at Pemberton Park at the weekend.

After a heavy run of top level schoolboy matches, the students hit the ground running and effectively had it wrapped up after a four-goal first half haul.

Scott Hawkins, Alex Elliott with two, Ryan Peddle, Lewis Reid and Kody Gorst all hit the back of the net for the free scoring visitors who now have, by far, the best attacking record in the league.

This was one of only four games played in the latest round of the premiership at the weekend.

Flying Mullet Papamoa would have expected to keep pace with Boys' College, but were beaten 2-1 at home by an Otumoetai side that came out on the right side of a tight game against a top side for the second week running.

After knocking off Taupo last weekend, Otumoetai were at it again, scoring from a set piece and a fast break.

Nick Barnes and Jordi Langton were Otumoetai's goal scoring heroes this time as they showed the rest of the league that there is a way through Papamoa's normally ironclad defence.

Fawwaz Ali's goal had the game level at one apiece at the break, but Papamoa struggled to find any further joy against a compact Otumoetai rearguard.

Waikato Unicol, with games in hand, seemed ready to gather pace in the race for the title, but slipped up at home to Comag Matamata Swifts.

Unicol had the best of the game, as their recent form suggested they might, but a Brad West goal saw the Swifts in front at the break.

Luke Goodwin drew Unicol level during the second half but there was late drama when Matamata were awarded a 90th minute penalty.

Jamie Baxter slotted it for the Swifts, whose win moved them into the top five.

This result illustrated just how unpredictable this year's Premiership is as, a week after having Tauranga Blue Rovers complete a league double over them, the Swifts managed the same feat against Unicol.

The other game, between Melville United at Te Awamutu, finished 2-all.

Played at Gower Park, both sides scored a goal in each half, with David Brennan and an own goal doing the damage for Melville, while Jack Connor grabbed a double for the visitors.

The point kept Melville in the top four, one point behind Papamoa and Taupo and four behind Boys' College.

Mercury Tokoroa and Taupo gained three easy points when their opponents, Hamilton Wanderers and, surprisingly, West Hamilton United, chose to default their fixtures.

For Taupo, the three points drew them level with Papamoa, while Tokoroa have moved out of the bottom two.

WaiBOP Championship leaders Ngaruawahia United dropped points for the second week running after being held to a 1-all draw at mid-table Te Puke United, while Kawerau Sports have marked themselves as favourites for the second promotion spot.

A week after becoming the first team to defeat Ngaruawahia, Kawerau powered past Waharoa Transport Matamata reserves, winning 8-0.

The gap between the two sides is five points with five games to play.

In the other games, Taupo's reserves drew 1-all at home against Waikato Unicol's reserves and Otumoetai's reserves won 3-2 at Cambridge.

Only one WaiBOP Women's Premier League match was played, resulting in Tauranga City taking top spot on the ladder.

Their opponents, Melville United, trailed by only one goal at half time but Tauranga wrestled complete control of the match with a final score of 4-0.

Tauranga's goals were shared between Rachel Collins, Ari Kingi, Danni McKenzie and Hayley Merriman.

The Western Bay side are now one point ahead of Whakatane Town in the Premier League, with both sides having played four games.

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