Grassroots

FOOTBALL Oceania Under-19 Championships

New Zealand have claimed the Oceania under-19 title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over tournament hosts Tahiti in the final in Pirae last night.

The defining moment came shortly after halftime when Matthew Conroy used his speed to take the ball to the byline on a counter-attack and cut back well for Trevor Zwetsloot to hit a powerful shot past Tahitian keeper Moana Pito. The 18-year-old from Germany’s Werder Bremen delivered the decisive strike in the final.

It was a pivotal period in the match, as moments earlier Tahitian captain Roonui Tehau hit a goalbound free kick which was superbly tipped over the bar by New Zealand keeper Cameron Brown. Both teams had already qualified for the Fifa Under20 World Cup in Poland next year with the top two teams advancing but the main prize of the Oceania under-19 title was up for grabs, with the French Polynesians looking to win the title for the third time at home.

But New Zealand, under head coach Des Buckingham, continued their superb record in the event. The defending champions claimed their seventh title and fifth in the past six tournaments in a performance of character and resilience. Buckingham was delighted with the team’s performance throughout the tournament, finishing unbeaten, scoring 23 goals and conceding two.

“It was a very tough game and you can see the work Tahiti have put in over the past year,” said Buckingham. “It really shows on the pitch and they are very hard to break down. We had four days in a camp before we came here, so for the players to adapt the way that they have in a short space of time is really pleasing.”

New Zealand captain Joe Bell again led by example with a commanding performance in midfield.

“I am really happy with how the team performed,” said the 19-year-old who plays his football for the University of Virginia.

LEAGUE Auckland Fox Memorial

A Drew Radich try inside the final five minutes saw Howick through to Saturday’s elimination semifinal against Pt Chevalier after beating Northcote 20-17 to end their season. With Howick up 12-10 at halftime, a Morgan Timoti-Cook try and a Cole Waaka drop goal gave Northcote a late one-point lead before Radich powered over to secure victory. After trailing 4-0 at the end of the first half, a gritty second stanza saw Glenora run away for a 26-10 win over Pt Chevalier which books their spot in the SAS Fox Memorial grand final for the second year in a row. In the second half, Chase Bernard powered through for his side, before Simon Luafalealo and Epalahame Lauaki extended the lead, taking full advantage of a Pirates side who had two men sent to the sin bin.

The Franklin Storm continue their brilliant first year in the Crown Lift Trucks Sharman Cup, after overcoming the Ellerslie Eagles 34-10 to book a spot in the major semifinals. After being starved of possession through the first 20 minutes, Franklin battled through to take a 16-6 lead into the break. In the second half, they leaked just one try, while piling on the points at the other end, with fullback Jackson Orr scoring a double.

Twenty-six unanswered points in the second half saw Manurewa overcome Otara 30-18 to keep their season alive in the elimination semifinal. The Scorpions led 18-4 at the break after scoring three converted tries but were powerless to stop their opponents’ run in the second. Manurewa hooker David-John Phillips grabbed a double in the win, with the Marlins scoring two late tries to blow out the scoreline.

RUGBY Stan Meads Cup

Hamilton took a big step towards making the 2018 Stan Meads Cup title decider when they overwhelmed Maniapoto in Te Kuiti on Saturday. The Waikato city side led 31-7 at halftime before going on to win 79-12. The Hamilton victory set up a winner take all clash with Piako next weekend, with a place in the Stan Meads Cup final on the line. For the second week in a row, defending SMC champions Te Awamutu were taken to the wire before beating Piako to retain the Peace Cup (SMC Challenge Trophy).

Piako made much of the early play and were rewarded with a try midway through the first spell. A further Piako try and a Te Awamutu comeback five-pointer saw Piako lead 14-5 at halftime.

The Morrinsville-based regional side continued the pressure in the second half. With a couple of minutes remaining in the encounter, Piako looked likely to cause an upset and take the Peace Cup from Te Awamutu’s vicelike grip.

But a last-gasp attack on the tryline resulted in Te Awamutu scoring the game-saver to post a 25-19 victory and almost certainly putting the defending SMC titleholders into another Stan Meads Cup final.