Kerikeri prove far too formidable at Taipa

OVERWHELMED: Kerikeri striker Timo Obrez tackles midfielder Rhys Thompson in round three of the Northland Men's Division at Taipa on Monday. Kerikeri won 4-0.

Kaitaia Justa Plumber 0 Kerikeri Bay Builders 4 (ht 0-4 ): Following a minute's silence in respect of Anzac Day, Kerikeri - fresh from scoring a dozen goals in their opening Chatham Cup game - set about slicing up Kaitaia in round 3 of the Northland Men's Premier Division (NMP) championship at Taipa on Monday.

The step up to premier division has already been worth the price of admission for the 2014 1st division champions with two wins notched on their belts, but on Monday they faced a side at another level altogether. It proved a bad day at the office for Kaitaia, who spent much of their time chasing the ball or making unforced errors when in possession. Standouts for the homeside were Jared Olsen and Andy Booth in central defence and midfield.

Victory saw Kerikeri take back the Dave Wilson Cup, lost when FC Whangarei visited Waipapa last season (and lost by FC in turn when they hosted Kaitaia earlier this month). Regarded as the Ranfurly Shield of the NMP, the Dave Wilson Cup - which is put on the line by the holders at home games - has been going since the '70s. The Kaitaia teams proudly posed with the trophy at training last Wednesday along with last season's 1st and 3rd div championship trophies.

Kaitaia Top Roofer 5 Tikipunga Coastline 2: Kaitaia football fared better in the curtain raiser, with the Kaitaia Bs enjoying a convincing win through goals by Rewa Parsonson 2, Rob Covich, Daniel De Waal (a scorcher) and Caleb Cross; and defender Jamie Rogers named POTD.

The other match of Far North relevance scheduled for Monday, Northern Waiora vs Bay Cosmos Mixed at Dargaville, was postponed.

STANDINGS. NMP (all played three): Kerikeri (for/against 20/0) 9, Central (6/1) 7, Kaitaia (7/7) 6, Kamo (6/4) 4, Tikipunga (8/13) 4, Onerahi (5/7) 3, FC/ Madhatters (4/11) 1, Bream Bay (1/14) 0.

NM1: Kerikeri (played 3, 18/5) 9, FC Whangarei (2, 10/4) 6, Central (3, 8/4) 6, Kamo (3, 12/7) 4, Bream Bay (3, 7/13) 4, Tiki Orange (3, 11/8) 3, Madhatters Blue (3, 4/16), 0, Onerahi (2, 1/14) 0.

NM2/3G: Onerahi (3, 11/1) 9, Kerikeri (3, 8/3) 9, Kaitaia (3, 12/6) 6, Central (3, 13/11) 6, Kamo (2, 6/3) 3, Tiki Dev (3, 11/9) 3, Tiki Coastline (3, 3/6) 3, Madhat Green (2, 5/10) 3, FC (3, 1/8) 3, Madhat Black (1, 1/2) 0, North Wairoa (2, 2/4) 0, Bay Cosmos (2, 2/12) 0.

NWP: Kamo (3, 10/2) 9, Hora Hora (2, 13/4) 6, Keri Siteworx (2, 6/2) 3, Keri High (3, 10/10) 3, NWairoa (2, 8/9) 3, Central (0/3) 0, Onerahi (3, 2/19) 0.