VS Boomers, Newtown Park 2

​Final game of the season and the Elite were looking to solidify their spot in Cap 5 after the mid-
season promotion. The day was as good as you get this time of year in Wellington and Newtown 2
wasn’t as sloppy as we expected – that said the grass hadn’t been mowed in 4-5 weeks so a slick
passing game of football would be difficult.
The starting formation had been tweaked slightly again from the previous weeks’ but it was a
familiar 3-2-4-1 and the personnel we had available was made up from a squad we’d had available
for the last 3 weeks – a welcome change to most of the season where we’d been struggling to field a
team without recruiting more than 3-4 “ring-ins”.
The game kicked off and straight away it appeared that Karori were pressing forward with 3 up top
which gave our 3 man defensive line something to think about – the lads dealt with all they threw at
us in the first 15mins before we started to get our foot on the ball and start playing some football of
our own. Turk and Levi were looking good when they could get the ball into their feet and with Saji
pushing high up he left flank we created a few chances – alas the final ball just couldn’t find it’s
mark. Karori had a couple of chances at the other end but a firm keeping performance from Shane
was keeping them at bay. The Elite linked a good move through the middle and Gazza was fouled in
the box – penalty awarded and with Shane in goal Rori took it upon himself to take it, trying to get
himself off the end of season nude run I think was the main focus, all looked good as Rori stepped
forward to begin his approach, he must have had a few options floating around in his mind as he
placed a his shot just to the right of the keeper who hadn’t been too decisive in his own mind and
was basically standing still in the centre of the goal and managed to save it…………The Elite deserved
that goal but it wasn’t to be. Stu made a few classic crunching challenges and you could see he was
up for the final game of the season. The first half came to a close and the score was locked up at 0-0.
The Elite were feeling good at the break and with a switch of Keeper and Striker with Turk and Shane
trading positions we were ready to go and stamp our mark on the game.
The 2 nd half kicked off and straight away the Elite were holding better possession and turning the
Karori defenders and getting our wide players involved to exploit the oppositions newly formed back
3. Gazza had another good run into the oppositions penalty area ended with more rough treatment,
this time however the ref waived play on, no penalty awarded. After some end to end exchanges the
Elite broke down the right with a pass infield to Rori who decided Shane needed to try again and
passed it straight back out to the right from a central position and Shane measured a cross into the
box which just alluded a rampaging Rori and feel to the man of the moment Levi who calmly
controlled the ball and waited for the keeper to square up before firing past him and into the far
post side netting 1-0 to the deserved Elite.
The Elite were playing well but Karori were enjoying some decent breaks and they fluffed a couple of
very good chances – the nervy Elite then managed to build some possession again and Levi took
control of the ball around 40 out from goal and sized things up before chipping the keeper from 30
metres using the sun to his advantage – quality strike and settled the game for the Elite.
All in all just the 2 nd clean sheet of our multi divisional season – Shane and Turk doing the job when
needed between the sticks………a great way to finish the season with 3 wins on the trot to secure our
place in Cap 5 for next season.

MVP points,
3: Levi – 2 well taken goals – what a quality end to the season!
2: Jase – Great game in defence – big effort and always coming up with the goods when required.
1: Isaac – Started off slow after a 4-5 weeks off but built into the game and added some good
composure in the 2 nd half.
It had been a tough season for getting a settled line-up but we managed to come through late in the
piece and all of the lads who helped us out this season are owed a few brews come the Elite Awards
which Rori will be confirming a location and date for later this week.
Thanks to Rori and Dave for putting in the effort to run the team and scrape around their contacts to
get past players to fill in our personnel issues week to week.
It’s been an up and down season lads but one which ultimately came good, I’ve enjoyed playing
alongside all of you and hopefully we have you all available for next season along with a few of the
regulars from years past who will either be injury free or finished travelling…….
Just a reminder to those who haven’t yet – pay your fines (myself included) – Rori will be wanting
these in by the end of this week if possible, if not contact Rori to advise when this will be done.
Thanks lads and looking forward to catching up soon for some entertaining banter whilst spending
our hard earned fine money.