7-a-side kicks off for summer

CROSS OF IRON: Howard Cross shows great agility in goal to prevent ROTW from scoring in the opening round of the annual NAKFA 7-a-side tournament on the Kaitaia College top fields.

The annual NAKFA (Northland Age Kaitaia Football Association) 7-a-side Summer Soccer series kicked off on the Kaitaia College top fields last Wednesday evening.

Highlights from the evening's play saw defending premiership champions Aberdeen begin their campaign in strong style with two 3-nil wins to go top of the ladder. Also unbeaten on the night were NAFKA Cup holders, Wild Hogs Seniors, and Rest Of The World, the latter needing to rely on an own goal to secure all six points on offer.

Early pacesetters in the social championship, with champions Ahipara Wildcats conspicuous by their absence this season, were Wild Hogs Juniors and new side Bangerz from Abundant Life.

Organisers reminded teams all fees were due tonight (or risk forfeiting any points gained so far); that if the ball hits one of the uprights during a game it is deemed a goal; and that it will take weather of near biblical proportions to force any round to be called off ( so players should just turn up rain, hail or shine).

Results from week 1 of the NAKFA championship were, Premiership, R1 (round 1): KCOB 2 Cross Purposes 1, Rest of the World 2 KC Boys 1, Aberdeen FC 3 Mako 0, R2: Ancient Secrets 0 Wild Hogs Seniors 1, ROTW 3 Cross Purposes 0, KC Boys 4 Mako 0, R3: Hogs 2 KCOB 0, Aberdeen 3 Ancients 0; Social, R1: Tu Kaha 1 Sallies 1, Wild Hogs Juniors 2 Hooligans 0, 70 Percenters 1 Kaitaia Raiders 0, R2: Bangerz 2 KC Girls 0, Wild Hogs 4 Kaha 2, Hooligans 1 Raiders 0, R3: Bangerz 2 Sallies 0, Percenters 2 Girls 2.

Standings, premiership: Aberdeen (GD 6) 6 points, ROTW (4) 6, Hogs (3) 6, Boys (3) 3, KCOB (-1) 3, Cross, Secrets (-4) 0, Mako (-7) 0; social: Hogs (4) 6, Bangerz (3) 6, Percenters (1) 4, Hooligans (-1) 3, Girls (-2) 1, Kaha (-2) 1, Sallies (-1) 1, Raiders (-2) 0.

DRAW for tomorrow night, R1 at 6.15am: Kaha vs Hooligans, Sallies vs Hogs Jnr, Raiders vs Girls, Cross vs Boys, KCOB vs ROTW, Mako vs Secrets; R2 at 6.45pm: Bangerz vs Percenters, Kaha vs Raiders, Hooligans vs Girls, Hogs Snr vs Aberdeen, Cross vs Mako, Boys vs Secret; R3: Percenters vs Sallies, Bangerz vs Hogs Jnr, Aberdeen vs KCOB, Hogs Snr vs ROTW.