With a few rounds to go, Team Gisborne have thrown down the gauntlet to Hawke's Bay challengers in the region's premier men's football league.
Gisborne are sitting on 30 points in the Computer Care Pacific Premiership, one point ahead of defending champions Taradale AFC although the former have played 13games to the latter's 14 in the nine-team, 16-game competition.
The Robbie Parker-coached side didn't do themselves any favours when they lost 1-0 to a Hastings Boys' High School team of predominantly schoolboys on Saturday.
Sam Field scored the goal in the 90th minute at the school grounds.
"Taradale are quality with players from former Central and National leagues and we are who we are so it was a tremendous win for us," HBHS coach Grant Hastings said last night of his side who had only two adults - centre back Regan Cameron and midfielder Kevin Atkinson, a teacher.
"They [Taradale] were quite disappointed but it was a crucial game and we're becoming more competitive," said former Central League coach Hastings as his young charges have five wins to their credit (including a Fed Cup one) after they were winless last winter.
Eighth on the table, they have beaten Maycenvale United (6th), Havelock North Wanderers (7th) and last-placed Western Rangers.
"We have won two games on the bounce and not conceded any goals so we're making inroads," said Hastings, adding the most pleasing aspect was the respect other teams showed them for playing a "great style of football", win or lose.
Napier City Rovers humbled early front runners, third-placed Napier Marist (28 points), 7-0 on Saturday.
Vale and Wanderers drew 1-1. Dale will host Gisborne on August 15.
-In the Federation League, Team Taranaki have opened a six-point lead on the Cole Murray-sponsored Wanderers who beat Wanganui City 3-0 at Guthrie Park on Saturday.
