Playing under the lights, Momona eased home to a 2-0 win over Taieri Tigers in a premier women’s game.
With wind chill, the temperature was surely edging towards zero by the time the contest came to an end, so for the women in red, it was essential they got the job done early.
University exams were also in play, so both sides had players missing, but a double to star striker Sorell Shand ensured Momona were never in danger of losing.
Beth O’Donovan was impressive in the middle of the park, next to Eve Swan, with Momona able to control the majority of the ball.
The inexperienced Taieri team worked hard, but they were not able to put enough pressure on the goal to mount much of a challenge. In the losing effort, Lou Nicolson was busy, as was Grace Darling.
Out at King’s High School, there was more joy for the University Huskies, who tipped up the Kings United Royals in a shootout.
The students have rallied well of late and managed to secure a 2-2 draw in normal time through goals from Ella Rogers and Harriet Lynch. The shootout win keeps them well and truly in the hunt for the top two.
For Kings, the mid-season break is going to come at a good time.
In the other women’s game, City pounded an under-strength University Stingrays 11-0.
In the premier men’s competition, it was about getting through without losing all feeling in the fingers in the arctic conditions.
In the biggest game of the day, the Kings United Cobras produced a controlled 2-0 win over the University Whales.
The Cobras dominated with Gordy Chatfield key in carrying through the centre of the park.
In the press, Judd Adamson was terrific, meaning the Whales could not get out of their half.
Goals to Sam Gradwell and Max Braithwaite ensured the Cobras claimed the points, though things could have been different with Max Milne striking the post for the Whales, a stroke that would have made it 2-1 with 20 minutes to play.
The Taieri Tuataras were equally controlled, chalking up double-digits against a University Panthers side that does not seem to be improving.
Solomon Baldock and Oliver Battrick bagged hat-tricks, while there was a brace for Hugo Maitland as the Tuas eventually won 11-0.
In Southland, the Albany Alligators fielded a rotated side but had no trouble disposing of the Barbarians. Tom French was up for the contest, bagging a double, and with the way he was playing, he was unlucky not to have more, as the Gators won 3-0.
— Nicholas Friedlander
