Another weekend of the Deniliquin and District Soccer competition ended with some big wins and close games.
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It was the last weekend for the competition before the three weekend school holiday break.
Play will resume Saturday, July 28.
Results from the weekend are as follows:
A-grade
A1 (dark blue) 3 def A2 (light blue) 2.
This was a tight game, with many players unfortunately missing due to illness.
There were some exhausted kids at the end with no subs for A1.
Pip Wilson had a great first half in goal, leading A2 strongly.
Hudson Beal really stepped up with some great general play involvements and pressure acts.
Best on Ground: Jordyn Brain, Pip Wilson.
Sportsmanship: George Marshall, Hudson Beal.
A3 (dark green) 7 def A4 (burgundy) 1.
The players on A3 were determined not to let the open team win on the final Saturday before the winter break.
Having an open team (A4), where parents, grandparents, supporters and other casual players can jump on the field and have a kick, has been fantastic for the A-grade.
It has allowed each of the A-grade student teams to be able to play each week, and a few former players have had some fun dusting off their boots and having a run.
We appreciate every player, young and old, who has stepped onto the field so far this year.
Best on ground: Toby Loughridge.
B-grade
B1 (dark green) 1 def by B2 (burgundy) 7.
B2 smashed it on the weekend.
Koopa Mitchell was brilliant at holding position on the back goal post - resulting in a goal in the second half.
Meg Loughridge stepped up into goalie and was terrific at running to meet the ball. Great boot.
Aadi Patel did a brilliant bicycle kick attempt on goal. It was on target, but was unfortunately scooped up by the goalie.
There was some good passing and much improved defensive efforts from B1 in the second half.
Best on ground: Michael Olabampe, Aadi Patel.
Sportsmanship: Piper Lilford, Zach Salan.
B3 (blue) 2 def B4 (green/white) 0.
This was the first win of the season for team three, reflecting the individual improvement of each player and their growth as a team.
Strong goalkeepers from team three - in Will Turner and Archie McKern - combined with reliable defence from Hayden Howard to keep a clean sheet.
Amelia Thompson was consistent all over the ground for B3.
Two quick goals by Amelia and Will made it tough work for B4 to get back into the game.
B4 worked hard, having a few great shots at goal, but unfortunately couldn’t convert any.
Best on ground: Amelia Thompson, Lucy Loughridge.
Sportsmanship: Will Turner, Jack Mcleod.
C-grade
C3 (green) 1 def by C4 (orange) 7 .
A tough game for the green team.
All players worked hard to try and gain the upper hand, but unfortunately, the orange team were better on the day.
The Carrots came determined to break a recent streak of draws and losses.
This didn’t deter the green team, who all still had fun and everyone enjoyed the game.
Best on ground: Sophia Lehmann, Matthew Hood.
Sportsmanship: Raphael Olabampe, Maeve Shields.
C1 (yellow) 1 def by C2 (purple) 7 .
Another game with a big goal count for one of the teams.
The purple team stormed home to a win over yellow.
Ari Blake was best on ground for C1, for his greatly improved enthusiasm and skills displayed in the game.
D-grade
D1 (dark green) 1 def by D2 (grey) 8 .
Good defensive efforts from the grey team translated into attack to score plenty of goals.
Zion Tamati kicked four goals, and Thomas Kennedy played a brilliant game.
A cracking goal from the corner was made by Harvey Shevels from the green team.
Best on ground: Oliver Webber, Campbell Shields.
Sportsmanship: Dylan Mendiguarin, Thomas Kennedy.
D3 (red) 2 drew D4 (light green) 2.
This was a very tight game with no goals until late in the second half.
Light green were minus a few big guns this week, but defended well.
Spencer Pocklington scored two cracking goals, and Lenny Morris scored the two that went the other way.
Great spirit and sportsmanship was shown by both sides.
Best on ground: Evie Robson, George McMahon.
Sportsmanship: Ellaanh Bull, Ted Pisasale.
Kangas and Joeys
This week had the Kangas and Joeys excited and energised.
Our drills and skills practice means we are getting better each week.
We had a large group of our Kangas play a little mock game of soccer. They were broken into two teams.
There was lots of running around the field and trying to get the ball off the other team. Many wonderful players in the making!
Our Joey's had their share of fun too, playing a game of knock it over and battleships. What a great way to spend a Saturday.
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