The Auckland competition has found it’s four finalists with The University Blues claiming the 2015 Minor Premiership. The first week of the finals will see a repeat of this weeks fixtures where University will host the Mt Roskill Saints whilst the Waitakere Magpies will host the North Shore Tigers. With everything on the line, both games will be action packed, so make sure you get down to support your team.
Auckland:
A close game at Parrs Park, and unless Mt Roskill upset University, it was always going to be repeated next week. Injuries from round 9 and some wayward kicking from the Waitakere Magpies meant they struggled, and the Tigers pounced to take this one, a couple of late long range goals from Tyler Rakich clinching the win… and the mental edge for next week?
North Shore v Waitakere: 7.8.50 – 5.12.42
An upset here could have completely changed the finals, but it wasn’t to be. University were too strong for the Saints, claiming the victory and the minor premiership for 2015. The Saints will be looking to learn from the match to see what they can change for next week to reverse the result.
University v Mt Roskill: 13.13.91 – 7.3.45
Final table:
Wellington:
The Bulldogs bounced back from last week’s loss with a win over the Hutt Valley Eagles on Saturday. A tough day for the goal kickers saw 21 behinds kicked between the teams and only 9 goals. The Bulldogs got the early jump on the Eagles with a 3 goal first quarter, only for the Eagles to hold them to a solitary point in the 2nd. Unfortunately for the Eagles they could only manage to pull one goal back. The Bulldogs then kept their pressure up and whilst inaccurate in front of goal, were able to keep the score ticking over and hold on for the win.
Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs 6.14: 50
Hutt Valley Eagles 3.7: 25
Goals:
Eagles: James Kusel, Nathan Lenihan, Rhylee Ioane-Fidow
Bulldogs: John Sabo 2, Blake Neve, Peter Halstead, Grant Robson, Liam Townsend
Another tough day in front of goal with 20 behinds kicked to 10 goals which saw The Wellington City Saints cause an upset win over the North City Demons on Sunday. The Demons were coming off the back of beating the Bulldogs last week could not achieve the same level of intensity or skill execution to last week. The Saints have been pushing for this result all year. In the previous round they were only beaten by 1 point by the Demons. The team from the north played well enough to be leading at half-time, and kept a small 3 point lead at 3 quarter time. It was inaccuracy in front of goal that kept the Saints behind – kicking 14 behinds for the match. However in the last quarter into the wind the Saints stepped up with the older guard of Jason Cox, Hayden Mouritz and Connor O’Fee controlling the use of the football down the stretch with strong overhead marking. The Saints kept the football out of the Demons hands and a goal to Adam Moore to push them out by over a goal that sealed it for them late.
Wellington City Saints 5.14.44
North City Demons 5.6.36
Goals:
Saints: Hayden Mourits 2, Connor O’Fee, Will Kempt, Adam Moore
Demons: Samuel McKenzie 2, Jack Green 2, Sam Green
With one game left before the Grand Final between the Bulldogs and Demons both sides will be wanting to take another step up from this week – Bulldogs in front of goal and the Demons all around the ground.
