Players looked to be excited to be back on the field after the delayed start to the season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The round featued some closely contested matches and leaves much to look forward to over the next 15 weeks.
Women
City Highlanders welcomed back Black Stick Tessa Jopp to the Dunedin club competition with a 5-1 win over Kings United in a solid team performance.
They created several attacking chances and will be looking to sharpen up their finishing in the circle for this weekend.
Sarah Thomas slotted two goals for City Highlanders while Tegan Buchanan, Brooke Eddie and Jopp also scored.
Kings will be looking to build on its efforts and would have learned much from the match especially as it boasts the youngest roster in the women’s competition.
Jade Litchfield found the back of the goal for Kings.
University Huskies beat Taieri Tigers 1-0 in a sudden-death shootout after the match ended 1-1 at fulltime.
Maia Shackelford scored for University and Sophie Gray for Taieri.
In the other clash, Momona A thrashed University Stingrays 15-0.
Men
Kings United downed University Whales 3-1 on Saturday o retain the Dunedin City Motors Challenge Shield.
Dylan Thomas, who bagged a brace, and Tom Caughey scored for Kings while Matt Cummins scored the Whales’ goal.
The students boasted some new faces throughout the team and Sam Lindberg was strong at the back in his first game for the Whales.
Kings peppered the Whales’ goal and the score would have been far greater without the outstanding efforts of Alan Carson in goal.
However, persistent Kings came out on top.
Standout performances came from Ronan McNeill in the midfield, Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle, who was solid at the back, and Thomas who was the focal point for the attack.
Albany Alligators walloped University Panthers 5-0 courtesy of goals to Aarie Verwey(2), Oscar Reid, Nick Parata and Eli Turner
Taieri Tuataras drew the bye but will face Albany on Thursday night.
- Rachael Lecky
