Women’s Eastern League: top two teams fight out draw

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

The women's Eastern League top-of-the-table clash between Campion College and Gisborne Laundry Services Wainui Riverina did not disappoint.

Both teams played some high-class football in a 1-1 draw. The school team, with their speed and tenacity, were up against the calm, experienced approach of Wainui Riverina.

Campion kicked off and came out firing, making some strong tackles right from the start.

Grace Levy had a great game in goal for Campion. She was first to any through ball, and put her body on the line to make some great saves.

In the first 15 minutes of the game, Levy pulled off a terrific save, diving to her left to stop a shot unleashed from just outside the box and heading for the top corner.

Wainui captain Lily Auckram had a strong game in defence. She was up against Maddie Wilson, a sprinter of national class. But Auckram's ability to read the play, her hustle to the ball, and her management of the defensive line kept Campion at bay.

Rightback Maria Waide also had a strong game.

Neither side had scored by halftime, although both had chances.

Play was end to end in the second half, with defences keeping a lid on most attacks.

Campion's Dara Mulrooney tested Wainui Riverina goalkeeper Morgan Lloyd from 25 metres but Lloyd did well to keep it out of the net.

Campion attacking player Sofia Zame burst through the Wainui defence and was one on one with the keeper, but Lloyd showed she was up to the task again and made a brilliant save.

Campion's Lucy Allan and Wainui Riverina's Manaia Mill had a great battle in midfield.

Campion scored first, midway through the second half. Wilson broke away from the defence, took the ball to the left-hand side of the goal and slotted it past the keeper into the bottom right corner.

Wainui Riverina were hit hard by the loss of midfielder and vice-captain Mill, who broke her ankle making a tackle.

With six minutes to go, Wainui equalised. Midfielder Amoe Tarsau threw the ball down the line to striker Larisa Allan, who cut back on to her right foot and crossed the ball for player-coach Lizzie Hall to score with a nice glancing header.

The final whistle blew and the spoils were shared. Wainui hold a three-point lead over Campion in the competition.

UNITED beat Tatapouri Marist Thistle 9-0 on a muddy Childers Road Reserve No.2 pitch.

Heavy Equipment Services United played some good passing football and spent most of the first half on attack. However, much of their shooting was off target.

Marist Thistle resisted United's early pressure but were unlucky to concede an own goal.

Grace Kuil scored the second goal after nice play from Amy Burgess and Chelsea Simpson down the right. An accurate cross was delivered to Dana Kingsbeer, who controlled the ball for Kuil to turn and fire into the corner of the net.

It was 2-0 to United at halftime, with some good saves having been made by fill-in goalkeeper Claudia Dolman, who had a great game in an unfamiliar position.

The second half was a bit more free-flowing.

United played some good football and converted their possession into goals, one of which was a beautiful long-range effort from Kim-Maree Larby.

It was enjoyable to watch the battle of the Simpson sisters — United's Chelsea running around up front and Marist Thistle's Fran defending strongly.

Chelsea managed to score twice.

It was a fun game. Both teams gave their all and United deserved to win.

MORGAN Andrew scored six goals in Bohemians' 7-0 victory over Gisborne Girls' High School at the Rectory.

Mikayla Jelfs-Hall scored the other goal.