Top two show why they are dominant

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Riverina and Gisborne United showed why they are the dominant teams in local women's football with powerful performances at Harry Barker Reserve on Sunday.

Gisborne Laundry Services Riverina had a well-deserved 5-1 win against a Bohemians side who never gave in.

Heavy Equipment Services United were too well organised for a tenacious Tatapouri Marist Thistle team, and beat them 7-0.

However, the game of the weekend was the high school derby between Gisborne Girls' High and Campion College.

It ended in a 2-2 draw.

Girls' High first-half goalkeeper Georgia Richardson had already made a season's worth of brilliant saves by the time she switched with second-half keeper Talia Chetty, who did well to keep Campion scoreless in the second spell.

Campion right-winger Sofia Zame gave her side a 2-0 halftime lead. She scored first with a shot from just inside the penalty area and then with a clinical finish after she had run on to a well-weighted through-ball.

Girls' High responded quickly in the second half. They were level within 20 minutes of the restart, through goals from right winger Stephanie Collier and striker Briana Irving.

Neither team could grab a winning goal, and the match ended with the same scoreline as the last time these teams met.

Central defender Lucy Allan was outstanding in a solid Campion defence.

In the two games at Harry Barker Reserve, United and Riverina showed their experience and depth of talent.

United were 4-0 up at halftime against Marist Thistle, with goals from Amber Church, Chelsea Simpson and Jamie Gedye (two).

In the second half, Kayley Knight scored once and Gedye added two more goals to her tally for the 7-0 scoreline.

Marist Thistle looked to push forward at any opportunity, but the safe hands of goalkeeper Mel Knight ensured United kept a clean sheet.

Bohemians gave Riverina more trouble, though, and at 3-1 down they were still in with a show at halftime.

First-half goalscorers for Riverina were attacker Grace Levy, goalkeeper Erin Sycamore (from the penalty spot) and midfielder Briar McLeely.

Rita Halley scored for Bohemians.

McLeely scored two more goals in the second half to clinch the win.

Bohemians, though not often dangerous, appeared solid throughout.

Shahni Deere, in the past usually a defender, adjusted well to the heavier workload in midfield.

Overall, though, Riverina were too strong, and they were surgical in their execution.

Renae Lolohea dictated play on the right and captain Lizzie Hall constantly troubled the Bohemians defensive line.

Riverina have 27 points from nine games; United have 21 from eight. Campion have 11 points, Bohemians 9, Girls' High five and Marist Thistle three.

On Sunday, Campion play Marist Thistle at Campion, while Riverina play Girls' High and United play Bohemians at Harry Barker Reserve. All three games start at 10.30am.