Kerikeri Bay Builders 2 Airforce 1 (ht 1-1): The Northland premier division champions began their 2014 Chatham Cup campaign with a win over Airforce at Waipapa in clear, nippy mid-autumn conditions on Easter Monday.
In a fast-paced, evenly and often fiercely contested match, the homeside - the only Northland club in the nationwide competition - drew first blood through an own goal after a cross was headed backwards, a misguided clearance by one of his own defender leaving the Airforce keeper stranded.
Airforce went on the offensive and dominated the remainder of the first half before winning a penalty in controversial circumstances, as Kerikeri's players allowed their frustration to get the better of them. The homeside regathered and five minutes into the second half, broke up an Airforce passing move with Patrick 'Paddy' Waller pouncing on the resultant through ball and making no mistake in striking the ball home with his second touch.
The entertaining affair was reffed by a scene-stealing South American, Santiago Vaga, who often repeated instructions - "Play the ball not the man! Play the ball not the man! Play the ball not the man!" etc at one corner, for example - in case anyone missed the point. The crowd enjoying the match filled the pavilion but would have still been disappointing from a homeside point of view considering the number of teams - junior and senior - registered to the hosting club. The round-ball game still has a long way to go before capturing anywhere near the same interest as club rugby in the Far North.
Kerikeri Bay Builders now return to their domestic duties, part of a triple bill at Waipapa this Saturday which sees all three Kerikeri men's teams at home against Central Brown sides in their respective competitions, i.e. Northland men's prem, 1st and 2nd div grading.
