Athletic bag title with ease

TOWERING TALLY: Wanganui Athletic's Ella Wiebe, in action against North End's Tessa Judd, scored four more goals against PN Marist on Sunday, lifting her season total to 39. PHOTO/FILE

Wanganui Athletic women wrapped up their first title for the year in the Manawatu League's Top 4 competition after a satisfying 8-1 thumping of Palmerston North Marist at home on Sunday.

The result leaves Athletic undefeated and untouchable at the top of the table with one round remaining, as second place Massey were beaten by North End.

They can now look ahead to the Federation Cup final with Taranaki's Moturoa on September 8, along with a home-and-away series against Wellington's Stop Out club in a Central League qualifier, September 15-22.

Coach Dave Downes said they are going forward with all their Manawatu opponents' best wishes ... in a way.

The PN Marist coach told them during the after-match function that they are tired of playing Athletic and want them gone to the Central League.

"Our defenders were damn good this week. [Marist] in the first 20 minutes played well," said Downes.

Mel Rigg, Jamara Mackay and two of the three Kahl sisters Sheena and Toni-Lee held their line.

"They just didn't allow them any time on the ball and when they did we hit them really hard."

Ella Wiebe scored four more goals for Athletic, lifting her tally to a whopping 39 for the year, ahead of her fellow German Tanja Grunworld, who sits on 32.

Rose Lockett added a double on Sunday while the third Kahl sibling, Jordy, Grace Alifi were the other goal scorers.

Now able to set his sights on the September 8 clash against Moturoa in Hawera, Downes will make some "subtle changes" for their final Manawatu League match against Massey this Sunday.

Rather than resting key players, they will probably just have less game time, he said.

It will open the door for secondary school players like Lulu Carter, Millie Bidwell, and Elish Groves who have been knocking on the door to get more of a run.