Win for Reserves

Tokoroa football finished on a high when the Reserves scored a 3-1 win over regular season champions Cambridge 2 at Strathmore on Saturday and with it claimed the mantle of ‘‘Challenge Round Champions’’.

Early play was dominated by the home side and they were unlucky not to find themselves ahead after a succession of half chances in front of goal.

Cambridge played their way into the match and began to control the middle of the park.

They were justly rewarded with a well-taken goal, a lead they held until the halftime break.

A mistake by the Cambridge keeper early in the second half proved costly. He was unable to gather a through ball and Tokoroa’s Richard Chitty pounced and coolly slotted home for the equaliser.

Cambridge’s woes were compounded when minutes later Michael ‘‘Digger’’ Fitzpatrick gave Tokoroa the lead with a well-directed shot that crept past a sprawling keeper and the game’s momentum had turned.

Cambridge and Tokoroa encounters are never short of fire and determination and local referee Colin McLean battled to control the natural aggression and often spirited tackling of both sides.

Des Phillips’ speed and tenacity caught a Cambridge defender napping before collecting the ball and slipping it past the keeper to effectively seal the game.

Tokoroa coach Keith Lancaster was unable to pick a man of the match.

He took great pleasure in what he described as ‘‘the best performance of the year’’.

If at all possible, the Tokoroa Cambridge rivalry has intensified and the greatest of satisfaction can be taken from a well- deserved win.