WHAT WENT ON July 25 - 26

Mercantile Squash
After 11 weeks of squash, our 2025 finals have been decided... The 2025 Mercantile Top Team finalists are reigning champions Pickering Cabinet Makers and Slort Sports who quietly made their way to the top of the table this season. The 2025 Wooden Spoon finalists are PGG Wrightsons Livestock and The Wishing Stars.

It promises to be a great finals night this Friday so make sure you come down to support the players! We also have a mid-week playoff for 7th & 8th position, check out the schedule below.

Tuesday 29 July, 6pm
Pensioners vs Emergency Smash Services
Friday 1 August, 5.30pm
AFFCO Stingers vs Smithy Motorcycles
Farmlands vs Waikare
Friday 1 August, 7.36pm (FINALS)
Pickering Cabinet Makers vs Slort Sports
PGG Wrightsons vs The Wishing Stars

Junior Rugby
Another sunny Saturday morning provided better conditions for our players, who went out and played very strong games! Check out the results below.

TUHARA HARVEST PRIMARY
TBC

TUHARA HARVEST JUNIOR
Our junior team had a bye.

TUHARA HARVEST RIPPA
Tapuae Little DeanOs (14) - Athletic Black (12)
Player of the Day: Coven

Athletic White (14) - Nuhaka S&R 1 (14)
Player of the Day: Juni

Athletic Stripes (16) - Wairoa Primary School (14)
Player of the Day: Marlowe

Senior Netball
On Saturday, Oslers Bakery Athletic White faced off in a double-header against two competitive Tapuae teams, showing resilience, grit, and teamwork across both matches. Game 1 versus Tapuae Te Rauhina was a high-paced and skillful encounter, with both teams showcasing excellent netball. Despite a massive effort from Athletic White, Tapuae Te Rauhina pulled ahead with consistent play to take the win 29–17.
Players of the game:
 3 Points – Teri Wathen-Smith,
 2 Points – Becky Donovan,
 1 Point – Jessie Crawford. In the second game, White faced Tapuae Ruataumata. Athletic came out firing in their second match, converting strongly from centre passes and making key turnovers count. The team’s composure and teamwork paid off, securing a hard-fought 26–23 victory over Tapuae Ruataumata.
Players of the game:
 3 Points – Becky Donovan,
 2 Points – Sarah Spicer,
 1 Point – Teri Wathen-Smith. A great effort from the whole squad across both games—well done, Athletic White! Next Saturday will mark the final day of the 2025 Wairoa Netball Competition, with finals and prizegiving on that day. Stay tuned for more details!

Senior Football
Saturday's match up saw QRS Athletic Football host Wainui Demons in muddy conditions under some well-awaited sunshine. Athletic started strongly, applying pressure early but the Demons backline and keeper managing to hold off Athletic. Until the 32nd minute that was, where Tom Rowley-Westwood slotted in Athletic's first goal, 1-0 to the home team. Athletic created multiple chances but Demons were strong enough to hold off, halftime 1-0 to the home side. The second half began and the Demons came out firing trying to find an equalizer but Athletic's backline with Mark Anderson and Luke Graves defended strongly allowing Athletic to counter-attack and Tom Rowley-Westwood finding his second goal of the day, Athletic 2-0. Demons didn't hesitate to strike right back, making the score 2-1 and bringing themselves back into the game. Both teams showcased skill and determination with plenty of laughs and banter going on which was great to see! Athletic was able to catch Demons off guard with Athletic's veteran player Hira Campbell tricking the keeper off his line and managing to chip the keeper for a beauty of a goal, Athletic now leading 3-1. QRS Athletic Football continued to carry momentum with a 4th and final goal of the match. A clearance was made but through a strong chase, Athletic managed to regain possession and Tom Rowley-Westwood claimed his hat trick. Final score: Athletic (4) Wainui Demons (1). Plenty of positives out of this game as Athletic is building great momentum going into the final round of the season. Player of the day: Tom Rowley-Westwood.

A league win is unfortunately out of reach, but the goal is to get our hands on the Chris Moore Knockout cup for the first time. We will host Pro Roofing Thistle on August 9th in what will be our last home game for the year (and it's a semi final). But first, QRS Athletic Football travel up to Ngatapa next Saturday in the final round of Tairawhiti Division Two competition.