Manurewa College 2 defeated Papanui High 1
Manurewa started the final with some great meters up the middle of the field setting themselves up for their first chance of the game. The first Touchdownof the game was scored on the back of the early dominance in possession as a quick interchange of passing set up an overlap for #8 Marama Davis to put the final ball to #7 Lisa Rua who scored with a dive in the corner. The remainder of the first half was dominated with some great spreading defense from both teams. Papanui created some half chances as they had numbers out wide but the final few passes went astray.
With Manurewa up 1-0 at the half Papanui equalized early on in the second as a break from #8 Charntay Poko created a run to the line for #7 Chelsea Smart to score. Manurewa, who were competing in their first Secondary schools championship would have to hold out a team with all the momentum going into the final ten minutes of the game. Not only were Papanui closing the gap but they also would have the advantage as they had won the previous two championships and had been rarely tested in their run up into the final. With the second half well under way a break in the line from Papanui’s captain #5 Janelle Cavanagh looked certain to put them back in the lead but a desperate touch from Manurewa’s #5 Kirwyn Rogers halted the play.
With Papanui looking like their streak of championships would continue, Manurewa made the most of their try scoring opportunity with #5 Kirwyn Rogers receiving a pass from an impressive #8 Marama Davis to go one up. On the final hooter a desperate Papanui side looked for an opening in Manurewa’s defence and got one with #7 Chelsey Smart breaking the line before finding a team mate which looked to have equaled the scores. After the refs deliberated the touch was called and in their first shot the title Manurewa held on for the victory 2-1 in a nail-biting final.
Last Modified on 14/12/2010 09:07