WHAT WENT ON July 4 - 5

Mercantile Squash
Another great night of squash! Pool 1 has spread out a bit with Pickering Cabinet Makers in front by a decent margin, winning well over AFFCO Stingers (a rematch of last year's final). In pool 2, an amazing result by Smithy Motorcycles, scoring the first full points of the competition (all 23 on offer), has really made for some interesting last couple of round robin weeks. This Friday we will be playing at Waikare to support their club. Thanks to Clark and the team for hosting us! Full results below:
Waikare bt. Pensioners 19 - 1
Smithy Motorcycles bt. The Wishing Stars 23 - 0 (Clean Sweep)
Pickering Cabinet Makers bt. AFFCO Stingers 16 - 1
Slort Sports bt. Farmlands 12 - 6

Senior Rugby Semi Final
Charteris Choppers Athletic Rugby packed the bus and headed for Kaiuku marae to face off against Mahia for a spot in the final, Athletic had their work cut out for them after losing to Mahia 27-41 the weekend earlier. Athletic kicked off and the game was underway, the tone was set early through strong ball carrying from Mahia which had the boys under pressure. A couple mistakes saw Mahia score first taking an early lead. Athletic was quick to strike back with a lineout move that saw Will Taylor score in the corner to get the boys in black and white on the score board. Just before halftime Mahia dotted down for their second try leading into the break 12-5. With the second half underway, Athletic had themselves pinned in their 22 with Mahia hot on attack. Will Taylor rushed the line and plucked the ball out of the air screaming up the field 80 meters before off loading to Sid Drinkrow who scored under the posts. Moss Doran slotted the conversion tying the scores at 12 all. Both teams battled it out for the remainder of the second half with Athletic having two disallowed tries. When the final whistle blew the scores were still tied which sent the game into overtime. Two 10-minute halves were to be played to decide the winner. Athletic got an early penalty taking the lead 15-12. Exhausted the boys defended a relentless Mahia but gave away a penalty tying the scores back up at 15 all. On the stroke of full time Mahia lined up the posts again, the crowd fell silent as the ball sailed just under the crossbar taking the game into golden point. The captains had a fierce game of paper, scissors, rock to determine who got the kick off choice. Athletic won and opted to kick deep into Mahia territory, the ball was knocked on and a scrum was set. Athletic threw themselves at the Mahia defenders inching closer and closer to the try line. Then, the whistle blew awarding Athletic a penalty right in front of the posts. Time stood still, the sidelines dead quiet, Moss belted the ball straight down the middle and the game was finally over after 105 minutes of rugby. The final score was 18-15. Players of the day were 1. Will Collier 2. Will Rouse 3. Ollie Ritchie.

In the other semi final, YMP went down to Nuhaka which means we will face the Nuhaka side for the big final this weekend!

Senior Football
Saturday's match up saw QRS Athletic Football kit up against unbeaten, top of the table Marist Shockers at Bayleys Athletic Park. The game was played in slippery conditions which made it hard for both teams to build any momentum. Athletic was able to open up the scoreboard through the boot of Harry Champion who sent in a curler of a goal, well-assisted by Tom Rowley-Westwood from a counter attack starting from goal keeper Phil Molina. Marist were able to level the score, making it 1 a piece before eventually taking the lead, 2-1 halftime score. The rain had set in and the field became a mud pit making it frustratingly difficult for players to showcase their skills. In the second half things started to get heated under miserable conditions where Marist found themselves a man down after one of the players received a yellow card for intentionally kicking the ball away, followed by a red card for descent towards the match official. Athletic took the opportunity from the free kick given, captain Ben Blake stepped up and crossed the ball into the box finding Taing Pich who headed it past the Marist keeper, levelling the scores 2 together. Both teams held on until the final whistle with the final score a 2 all draw. Under the weather conditions this was a fair result for both teams. Player of the day: Jason Smith