Most interest in the build-up to last weekend's games centred on the Thistle Massive-Boys' High match.
Boys' High have been big improvers over the past year, while Massive have been perennial contenders for competition honours over the past decade. Two sets of fathers and sons were lining up against each other, too. Nic Somerton and son Jimmy made up one contest within a contest, while Matt Smith and son Oska made up the other.
Nic Somerton and Matt Smith scored the goals that won the game for Massive, so bragging rights were theirs, although Oska Smith also scored.
Thistle dominated the early exchanges and were one up at the break, thanks to Matt Smith's strike midway through the half.
Former Gisborne City and Thistle player and coach Martin Ryan informed the Boys' High camp at halftime that they had an unusually high number of inaccurate passes . . . he had counted them. That became the students' focus for the second half and their play improved.
Boys' High equalised when a defender underhit a backpass and Oska Smith intercepted it to score.
Ten minutes from time, Thistle took a free-kick from deep in their own half when Boys' High thought it should have gone their way. Play moved quickly down the other end to Nic Somerton, who finished clinically to secure all three points.
Stirton said he had changed the pattern of the team's play slightly in recent weeks and it seemed to be working. The wide open spaces of Childers Road Reserve suited Massive's passing game.
Nic Somerton was his man of the match. Central midfielder Matt Smith, right-winger Juan Celand and sweeper Chris Spurr also shone in a good team performance.
Boys' High coach Itman said goalkeeper Regan Cameron, centreback Adam Simpson and central midfielder Johannes Wolf stood out for his side.
“And I congratulated John Stirton,” Itman said.
“He is a really good chess player.”
United coach Dean Wrigley was delighted to see his side score six goals, but worried about the mounting injury toll.
Cranswick's hat-trick included a goal that came from a run he made with the ball from inside his own half.
Aubrey Yates scored two and Damon Husband scored one.
Wrigley said defenders Ben Hansen and Jimmy Holden did well playing out of position in midfield, while Cranswick and Husband also shone.
United lost two more players to injury.Midfielder Craig Christophers has a calf injury and Kerryn Pegram pulled a hamstring. Kim Perano and David Glassford were already on the injured list.
In an improved showing by Thistle in the second half, Hammy Il-Jammi scored with a strike that deserved more than the description “consolation goal”. He cut in from the right and curled it in with his left foot to briefly make it 4-1.
The Wainui momentum continues. Against Lytton, Steffan John got his fourth goal for the season and was named man of the match. Jimmy Walker scored both of his goals in the second half.
Striker Jake Theron said Wainui lacked urgency in the first half but improved in the second, and keeper Paddy Pierard was pleased with the first clean sheet.
For Lytton, Cameron Cairns made inroads with his attacking play from left and central midfield, Tama Wirepa inspired those around him with his positive attitude, and Toby White was tenacious in defence from leftback.
