Second-half strikes keep Gillies trophy at Wainui

SURROUNDED: With Wainui players all around, Leeroy Julies-Tuhi (Mangapapa) goes for goal with an acrobatic attempt. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Wainui Thunder repelled a challenge from Mangapapa School and retained the Iain Gillies Challenge Trophy last week.

Goals from Harry McFarlane and Bodhi West-Hill gave Wainui a 2-0 win after a scoreless first half.

Playing in front of their schoolmates for the first time this season, Wainui did well to withstand a strong start from Mangapapa.

Thunder skipper Arthur Tilghman reckoned Mangapapa couldn't maintain their first-half work rate and, indeed, Wainui had more of the play in the second half.

McFarlane had an immense game up and down the left wing, and he smashed in a shot that gave the Mangapapa goalkeeper no chance.

A second goal was not long in coming. In a clever bit of play, West-Hill swept in a well-struck goal to make it 2-0.

Wainui player Hosea Bevins put in an outstanding all-round performance, and his contribution caught the eye of knowledgeable supporters on the sideline.

The Iain Gillies Challenge Trophy was first contested in 2009 as a football equivalent of rugby's Weka Ball and cricket's MCC Bat — a challenge-type competition for local primary schools.

Central School beat Mangapapa 4-1 in a game to determine the inaugural holders.

The trophy was made by artist and Gisborne Intermediate teacher Bryan Notting and the competition was organised by Central Football's regional manager at the time, Ryan Majstrovic.

The trophy was named after former Eastern Union/Gisborne City player-coach Iain Gillies, who was Gisborne Herald editor at the time.

It was envisaged that the trophy would add another dimension to Gisborne primary school football, and encourage smaller schools to have a tilt at the big guns. Games were to be played midweek.

With the season winding down, challenges are still being received.