WHAT WENT ON 18 - 19 April

Senior Rugby
On Saturday 18th of April Charteris Choppers Athletic Rugby travelled to Waikohu with a full squad of 15 players and played the game in great spirit from start to finish. In the first half, Athletic applied strong pressure, keeping Waikohu pinned in their own half with some solid attacking play. Despite this, Waikohu managed to score two tries, giving them a 10–point lead at halftime. Athletic came out strong in the second half, showing determination and energy. However, a small lapse allowed Waikohu to strike first again after the break. Midway through the second half, Athletic responded well, capitalising on their opportunity. A great team play set up Wade Perrett, who finished it off with an excellent try. The final score was 34-5 to Waikohu. It was a competitive and enjoyable match, followed by a great after-match function. Player of the Day Points:

Sid Drinkrow – 2 points
Bodhi Fenwick – 1 point
Wade Perrett – 1 point

Senior Football
QRS Athletic Football hosted Pro Roofing Thistle in the first home game of the year. Thistle lost the coin toss and Athletic opted to play into the wind during the first half. Athletic's defence was strong, holding Thistle to only a 2-point lead with former Athletic player Shannon Crane opening the scoring for Thistle. Athletic started the second half with the wind behind them, looking to get back into the match and doing so with a brilliant through ball from captain Ben Blake to striker Jared Olsen, who danced past the keeper and walked in Athletic's first goal. Score: Athletic 1 & Thistle 2. Thistle weren't finished yet though, scoring a third goal from a corner. Athletic's never-give-up spirit has been a strength in recent years. With only 15 minutes to go, Ayresh Goundar managed to give Thistle's tired legs some problems, leading to Jared Olsen's second goal and making it 2-3. The boys in black kept fighting for an equaliser, playing a game of ping pong in Thistle's box, but to no avail. The final score was 2-3 to Thistle. A big shout-out goes to the boys Tim Brownlie, Jared Olsen, Luke Graves and Ryan O'Sullivan for helping out the team who only had 7 players available on Thursday's final count.

Player of the day: Jared Olsen
Goals: Jared Olsen x 2

Next weekend QRS Athletic Football travel up to Gisborne's Awapuni Stadium to take on 2025 Division Two Champions Shockers Marist, 2:45pm kickoff.