15th Grade Girls - The Final Frontier

Link to big picture

For those who came to the game on Saturday from Pukekohe who expected an easy win, were to be given heart palpatations when top of the table Pukekohe played second to last Papakura. A win would secure the title for Pukekohe.

Easy it wasn't with a fired up Papakura team wanting desperatly to stay off the bottom of the table with a minimum of a draw there desire....

That was till in the 25th minute when wave after wave of attack saw Natalie smash an absolute ripper into the net.

A chance bounce of a 'kura defender saw Shioni score her first goal of the season and showed that she had learn't something this year...

The most excitement at this point was the lonely break made by Papakura earlier in the half...shut down by the ever vigilant Renelle...

Half time came and went with 33 out of 35 minutes being played in the Papakura half.

Rachel, Alix, Hanna, Renelle and others at times all worked hard in defence smashing everything that came thier way.

The second half saw a better set team from Puke now with the wind at thier back.  Woodwork denied Natalie twice, and shot after shot (I counted about 14 in the 2nd half alone) saw Pukekohe getting fustrated.

That was until in the 20th minute, a clear bouncing ball came to Kendra who powered it past the defense and keeper.

3 minutes later Kate hooked a ball in to put Pukekohe out to a more comfortable 4-0 lead.

And to top off the scoring Lucy again showed that when she tries she can score with a nicely placed ball to the left of the keeper.

Second half highlight though came from the always entertaining Selle who in goal got one goal kick late in the second half (this was her only touch), except for when the ball went loose to half way where Selle was standing waiting and showed her usual David Beckham Junior Skills sending the ball down the line with true class.  Although at times she was seen lying down bored showing true testimant to this teams defence (and yes we have a pic of you on the ground Selle)...

Merit for this game had to go to Kayla whom after the 4th grading game has been out with a broken ankle. Troy was informed that if she did not play she could not get a winners medal.  She showed the desire that all of this team have throughout this season by playing 80% of the game and never giving up.. Well done.

Player of the day went to Shioni for her FIRST goal...awseome work.

So 5-0 to Pukekohe means this team are the 3rd division 15th grade girls CHAMPIONS for 2007..

 The picture is missing Sherrie as she was away.

WELL DONE GIRLS.

A picture and report will be in the Franklin County news and special thanks to Sporty Paulos from LifeFm(99.8fm) and Shine TV for coming and taking interviews and pictures. Keep an eye on www.lifefm.co.nz for his report and listen out on 99.8fm to hear it.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS,

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

OF THE WORLD

as written by Freddie Mercury and Queen