Riverina avenge cup defeat in Gisborne women’s football

Riverina Wainui already had the Women's Eastern League title sewn up but took satisfaction from beating the team who knocked them out of the Braybrook Cup.

Wainui Riverina turned around the result of a week before when they beat Shockers 5-2 in a Women’s Eastern League football match at Wainui last Sunday.

Smash Palace Shockers had beaten Gisborne Laundry Services Wainui Riverina 2-0 in a Braybrook Cup game at Wainui on August 18.

Both teams had expected to be struggling for numbers in the Eastern League game that followed but Riverina had Lauren Bennett back in goal after injury, which allowed Renae Lolohea to return to outfield duties.

Riverina had clinched the Eastern League title weeks before, but this result helped cement another placing on the table.

YMCA Thistle secured second place when they were awarded a 3-0 win against Bohemians, who defaulted the game. Neither Bohemians nor Shockers – third and fourth respectively – can catch Thistle in the games remaining.

Heavy Equipment Services United beat Tatapouri Marist Thistle 6-2 in the other game.

In the Riverina-Shockers game, Harriet Jefferies (2), Larisa Allan, Lily Auckram and Torepe Taumaunu scored the goals for Riverina. At halftime, they led 2-0.

Emily Graham scored in a second-half fightback by Shockers, but Riverina still managed to score another three goals.

Outstanding for Riverina were player of the day Taumaunu, Tiara Weir and Clara Dolman-Tuhou. For Shockers, player of the day Alex Megaw and Graham stood out.

Tomorrow’s scheduled game between Riverina and Bohemians is off, Bohemians having defaulted. United play YMCA Thistle on Harry Barker Reserve No.1 and Shockers play Marist Thistle on HBR 2. Both games start at 10.30am.

That will leave one league game unplayed – the fixture between Shockers and Riverina, scheduled for Nelson Park No.1 on September 15.

The Braybrook Cup final between YMCA Thistle and Shockers is set to be played on Childers Road Reserve No 1 on September 8.

In men’s games today, Versatile Thistle have the chance to draw level on points with clubmates and Eastern League 2 Top 6 leaders Gizzy Bobcat Services Thistle, although the latter should retain at least some of their 23-goal advantage in goal difference should they lose. Kick-off is at 12.30pm on CRR 2.

It’s the last league game of the season for both teams, but for Versatile it will be a handy warm-up for their Chris Moore Cup final against C & G Plumbing High School Old Boys Eels on CRR No1 next Saturday.

The Chris Moore Cup has traditionally been the knockout cup for local second division teams. The Emerre and Hathaway Cup and the Poverty Bay Cup for third-division teams seem to have fallen by the wayside for the time being.

Other Top 6 games today are: SP Shockers Green v QRS Wairoa Athletic on HBR 2, and Thistle Vintage-Masters v Thistle Youth B on CRR 2. Both games start at 2.45pm.

Top 6 results from last Saturday were: GBS Thistle 7 Shockers Green 0, Wairoa Athletic 2 Thistle Youth B 0, Versatile Thistle 3 Thistle Vintage-Masters 1.

High School Old Boys are doing their bit for charity today. SuperGrans Tairawhiti is their chosen beneficiary this year and all HSOB players and supporters are being asked to bring tinned or non-perishable food or financial donations to the club derby between HSOB Campion and HSOB Eels on HBR No 2 at 12.30pm.

Other Bottom 6 games today are: Tatapouri Bohemians v HES United Seconds at NP 1, and 1st Class Decorators Wainui Salty Dogs v Ngatapa Brandt Silkies at Wainui. Both games start at 12.30pm.

Bottom 6 results from last week were: Ngatapa 2 Bohemians 3, United Seconds 1 HSOB Eels 3, Wainui Salty Dogs 1 HSOB Campion 1.