Ngaruawahia Home to Te Puke in the Chatham Cup

There is something special about the Chatham Cup. Apart from being the only esteemed prize in domestic football and being an affair which brings out some great stories about David and Goliath encounters, it is ultimately what the entire club can truly feel part of – a time when every body can sit in the Monday morning lunchroom and say that my team is either still in or out of the Cup.

Gladly, as a Ngaruawahia person, I can have that conversation with anyone willing to listen and say our team is still in the cup, albeit a roller coaster ride against a marvelously spirited visiting Te Puke side.

To say that they were spurred on by a traveling support crew would be an understatement and injustice. The site of the two bus loads of supporters all splendidly decked out in Black and White club playing shirts gave the impression of a club definitely on the move. A young club by New Zealand standards, I have little doubt that within the next five years they will be among the top two or three teams in the Bay of plenty.

The voice among the supporters and steely determination of a committed playing 11 in fact saw Te Puke take the lead in as early as the third minute.

Dave Edmondson

The response four minutes later to the ever present threat of Stanley Waita was encouraging – a well taken goal from the Soloman Island international.

Narra took the half time advantage thanks to the impressive Alex Barlow, making his first team debut in the starting 11, who scored from an acute angle on the left.

Nara were probably guilty of not taking full advantage of the chances offered up in the first 45 minutes. The return of Gavin Pooley (his first appearance for 2007) was a pleasing spectacle in the first half. A measured passing game and level head are both attributes that he will add for the remainder of the season.

A second half could surely not invite such a generous offering of goals? Absolutely it could and did as the 5-4 victory would describe. While it may appear that the game was always within reach of the tenacious visitors, I believe that Nara had enough in reserve to just head the game. No doubt some anxious supporters for the Green Machine as the aftermatch questions would indicate, but no less a passage into the next round.

Aside from the players mentioned, Chris Musgrave backed up with another solid effort. Tim Kautai offered glimpses of his electric pace and was rewarded with a well taken goal. Goals also to Andrew Carruthers and Lance Louvie good reward for their showings.

Tristam McCormack

It is back to the really important stuff this weekend with the visit of Ellerslie, who share an equal position on the league table. An encounter that often carries the tag – six point game!

We can ill afford to drop points this weekend and I imagine both teams, but importantly Ngaruawahia understand the importance of the game.

As we enter the weekend off the back of a 2 win / 2 draw / 1 loss 5 game run we should be confident of further improvement. Hopefully with success comes further enjoyment and I encourage the players to enjoy the experience that Ngaruawahia offers.

I finish by saluting the day that really belonged to Te Puke and their band of hardy supporters. A well written script for all in attendance, the 5-4 loss was quickly over looked and the players and supporters alike joined in voice on the veranda. I am sure that they continued long into the night and so might they should, but no doubt looking forward to being hosted again by the superb facilities we enjoy at little old Ngaruawahia.