03-08-2025
Shand scores double as Momona hold on to shield
A brave Taieri Tigers team put up a solid fight before slipping to a 2-1 loss to Momona in the latest round of the premier women's club competition on Saturday.
With the shield on the line, the Taieri women were motivated to end their season on a high and gave the third-placed side an almighty scare.
Momona were dominant from the start with Abby Reid proving a brick wall at the back.
The young defender made it look easy early on, allowing her side to control the contest, though they were unable to put enough pressure on the goal.
Alisha Horne was forced into a few saves for the Tigers, but it was largely smooth sailing.
It was clear Taieri were the more motivated, but try as they might, they could not get the ball into the circle.
In a funny sort of game, Momona continued to control things, but the clash really just drifted along, remaining scoreless through to three-quarter time.
Finally, Momona kicked into gear in the final quarter, getting more shots off, and eventually that resulted in Sorrell Shand smashing home the opener inside eight minutes.
It set up a crazy end to the contest.
Taieri pulled their keeper and threw the kitchen sink at it, and they were rewarded when Chilean midfielder Sofia Tubio Gramajo dribbled past three players, before smashing it off into the bottom left corner.
The Tigers continued to push with 11 in-field players, and there were a couple of half-chances, but ultimately it was not to be.
Momona forced another penalty corner, and Shand duly dispatched it to seal the deal.
The result means Momona will keep hold of the shield for the summer and should give them some momentum ahead of next week's do-or-die semifinal with the University Huskies.
Elsewhere in the premier women's competition, the Kings United Royals destroyed the Huskies 13-1.
It was a scarcely believable result for a game involving a side in the top four, but it was a true demolition.
Nina Murphy led the way with five goals as Kings just peppered the Uni goal. With the win, Kings secured the points trophy.
In the day's other game, the City Highlanders beat the University Stingrays 10-0.
The premier men's competition was largely a non-event.
With the final standings already decided, it was very much a low-key round.
The Kings United Cobras eased to a 12-0 victory over the University Panthers, while the University Whales were 6-1 winners over the Southland Barbarians.
The big result was the Taieri Tuataras taking down the Albany Alligators 2-1.
Down on numbers, the Gators put in a super effort, but Oliver Battrick was able to sink them in the final minute, locking up the points trophy for his side.
— Nicholas Friedlander
