Football: United rebound to claim shield

United have won the Federation Challenge Shield. Pictured is Rotorua United's Dave Cheater (centre) in action this season. Photo / Ben Fraser

Rotorua United have finally got something to smile about this season - winning the Federation Challenge Shield while climbing out of the relegation zone.

Wild weather caused havoc across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty on Saturday which played its part in the latest round of the WaiBOP premiership.

Otumoetai were tagged as one of the favourites to win the premiership title during the pre-season, but have lost more games than they won this year.

United were the latest team to defeat them at Fergusson Park in Tauranga with a 1-0 victory on Saturday.

United's vital goal came during the second half through captain Lawrie Scott, which not only secured them their second win of the season but also won them the Federation Challenge Shield.

The shield is the equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield in the WaiBOP premiership and is up for grabs during the holder's home fixtures.

Rotorua's first defence of the shield will be at home on Saturday against Matamata Swifts.

At the top of the table in the premiership, Cambridge FC recorded their third consecutive 2-0 victory to maintain their lead.

Katikati were the weekend victims as second-half goals from Glen Carmichael and Robbie Greenhalgh secured another three points for the title favourites.

Cambridge have been functional rather than fantastic during the last month or so but it is the team's consistency that should prove vital in what is turning out to be an extremely competitive league.

Ngongotaha loom as the most likely challengers to Cambridge and moved into second place with an identical win at Papamoa.

Their 2-0 victory was also built on two second-half goals through Joe Rea and serial goal scorer Luke Barker.

Ngongotaha sit five points behind Cambridge but have a game in hand so are well in the hunt.

Waikato Unicol lost the only unbeaten record in the premiership in going down 3-2 to Old Blues in Tauranga.

In the other premiership matches, Matamata defeated Tauranga Boys' College 2-1 at home and a David Brennan double gave Melville United a 2-0 win at lowly Tauranga City United. The win kept Melville in the top four.

Meanwhile in the WaiBOP championship, leaders Claudelands Rovers suffered their second defeat on the trot in going down 6-3 at Te Puke United.

One match was abandoned in the championship when, after 43 minutes, the game was stopped between West Hamilton and Kawerau Sports. Kawerau were losing 2-0 at Weka St.