Wairarapa climb to second

TOUGH FIGHT: Wairarapa United's Carl Shailer (right) battles for possession with a Wellington Olympic opponent.PHOTO/CHRIS KILFORD

WAIRARAPA United's premier men's team have moved into a clear second place on the Central League football table, after their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Wellington Olympic at Masterton's Memorial Park on Saturday.

They went into the weekend's round of matches trailing both Napier City Rovers and Western Suburbs, whose clash on Sunday resulted in a surprisingly comfortable 5-1 win to the Napier combination.

Napier City Rovers now lead the points table with 24, followed by Wairarapa United 21, Western Suburbs 19, Palmerston North Marist 15, Petone 14, Stop Out and Wellington Olympic 12, Miramar Rangers 7, Lower Hutt City 6 and Tawa 3.

Wairarapa United, who are aiming for their first central league title, will play Miramar Rangers at Miramar this Saturday, while Napier City Rovers are away to Stop Out, and Western Suburbs are away to Lower Hutt City.

Meanwhile, Douglas Villa are in the relegation zone in Capital Football's division two men's competition.

A 2-1 defeat by Victoria University Gossies on Saturday left Douglas Villa on just four points, the same as Lower Hutt City and ahead of only Upper Hutt City.

Heading the division two points table are Stokes Valley, who have 21pts, followed by Wainuiomata and Waterside-Karori Cougars 19, Victoria University Gossies and Naenae 18, Stop Out 16 and Island Bay United 12.

In the Capital third division series, Wairarapa United, who beat North Wellington reserves 3-1 at Memorial Park on Sunday, share the lead with Waikanae.

Both have 16pts and just one point behind are Wellington Olympic and Petone thirds. Then come Western Suburbs Wanderers 12, Victoria University 8, Miramar Rangers Biofarm 7, North Wellington reserves 6, Petone fourths 5 and Marist reserves, who are yet to open their account.

Property Law Services Masterton moved into fourth place in the Capital fourth division competition, after a 3-2 win over Wainuiomata on Saturday. Up front with 22pts are Brooklyn Northern United reserves, followed by Victoria University Stallions 21, Kapiti Coast United 17, Property Law Services Masterton 15, Island Bay United HHH 13, Island Bay United Powershop 12, Waterside-Karori Magpies 10, Tawa Bulldogs 8, Wainuiomata and Island Bay United Sea Captains, both 6.