FOOTBALL - GISBORNE representative girls/women’s teams won five of their six games with Hawke’s Bay counterparts here at the weekend.

The boys’ teams had a win, two draws and five losses.

Coach Phil Robinson’s under-13 girls’ side played at a pace that continuously troubled their opponents to win 4-1 and 3-1.

The midfield pairing of captain Renee Holmes and Te Mai Ora Olsen Baker were superb.

Centre back Helen Maclean organised her defence well and flank players Vienna Morpeth and Kamaia Pomana showed power and trickery to trouble the opposition defence.

The Matt Pierard-coached u15 girls lost their opening game 4-2 then bounced back to win 3-0.

Captain Georgia Burke led from the front while Leo Wharehinga scored all five goals in the two games.

Midfielder Ella Andrew ran herself into the ground and used the ball effectively.

New goalkeeper Casey Davis-Lamb had an outstanding debut and looks to have a bright future. She was well supported by defender Abby Brice.

Gisborne’s 16yrs and over team followed up a 1-0 win with a 4-0 victory.

Sarah Graham scored the only goal in the first match. Goals to Michelle Elliott and Holly Scott (a left-foot screamer) and a double to the skilful Hollie Murrell made it two from two.

Delighted coach Ray Scott and could not heap enough praise on his side, saying they were all stars.

Players of the day were defenders Kelsey Rickard and left back Tori Williams.

The u12 boys’ team, coached by Darren Larkins, came up against a well-drilled Hawke’s Bay unit. After a heavy defeat in the morning, the Gisborne boys responded with a creditable draw in the afternoon.

Goalkeeper Ben Love was in the thick of the action in both games and made numerous great saves. He was well supported by midfielder Andrew Brott, who had to play a deeper role in the second game and handled this with ease.

Striker Bradley Clark showed some great touches and is a player for the future.

Gisborne’s u13 boys dominated their rivals 7-1 in their opening encounter but had to settle for a 3-all draw in the second game.

Coach Glen Higgins said striker Fergus Burke proved too much for Hawke’s Bay to handle in the first game. New rep player Rangi Moore had a good day out wide and will progress well with more games under his belt.

Andrew Brown, who improves with every game and consistently tries to play the right ball, was player of the game.

In the second game, Higgins rotated his squad as Hawke’s Bay dug deep to share the honours.

Home keeper Joao Felipe Velloza impressed over the two games and handled the tricky windy conditions well.

The Joel Robinson-coached u14 boys came up against a good side, including several federation players. The Gizzy boys suffered two defeats but goalkeeper Monty Radburn was outstanding.

Cullen Spawforth battled for everything in midfield while Jack Feyen and new rep player Fletcher Honey played well.

Gisborne’s u16 boys had narrow losses in what coach Fred Robertson said were a great couple of games.

Jake Robertson was outstanding at the back and had fine support from Gisborne Boys’ High teammates Mark Langdon, Josh Harris and midfielder Cheauxyan Makau McPhee, who scored a great goal.

With a good mixture of 15 and 16-year-olds in the squad they will have benefited from these clashes.

Central federation development officer Blake Mulrooney said special mention must be made of the group of young and not-so-young referees, who did an excellent job.

“Also a big thanks to Sport Gisborne’s Ray Noble for getting these young referees on board, and the volunteers who put in the time and effort to make this game day work,” Mulrooney said.