Football: Little change at the top of the premiership

Ngongotaha's Mitch miller in action against Rotorua United in a recent WaiBOP premiership match.

The top four teams in the WaiBOP Premiership all won last weekend meaning there was little movement at the summit.

Leaders Cambridge exacted comfortable revenge in a 3-0 victory at Tauranga's Old Blues. Old Blues are the only side to beat Cambridge all season - a surprise 1-0 win at John Kerkhof Park back in April - but there were no mistakes in the return encounter. Glen Carmichael had the visitors ahead at the break after firing home from the penalty spot. The lead was doubled after the break after Henry Stephen slotted home Cambridge's second spot kick of the day. The victory was completed with an Elton Leri goal from open play.

Second placed Ngongotaha were comfortable in beating Katikati 3-1 at Stembridge Road to stay eight points behind Cambridge, with two games in hand. The match was surprisingly level at 1-all at the break, but the Villagers eased away in the second half. Their goals came from Luke Barker, Mitch Millar and an own goal. Fax McKernon scored for Katikati.

Melville United held on to third after a 4-0 home win over bottom side Tauranga Boys' College. Melville scored twice in each half to register a victory that was as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.

SGS Papamoa moved up to fourth after they made mincemeat of the Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts defence during the opening half hour of the match at Matamata Domain. Scott Higgins helped himself to a double and Rikki Ringrose scored the third as the visitors enjoyed some wide open spaces. The Swifts were better after the break and netted a consolation in the closing stages from the head of substitute Logan Allen.

Rotorua United scored the upset of the weekend with a 2-1 win at Waikato Unicol. In the other Premiership game, Tauranga and Otumoetai First Credit Union shared a goalless draw at Links Ave.

WaiBOP Championship leaders, Claudelands Rovers, secured the most significant win with a 3-1 victory at Kawerau Sports. The win meant Rovers stretched their lead at the top to six points as second placed Cambridge were defeated 2-1 at West Hamilton.

The shock result of the weekend saw Old Blues reserves put a huge dent in Te Puke's promotion hopes with a 3-2 win at Wharepai Domain. Te Puke started well, though, with goals from Nick Johnson and Charlie McIllwaine inside the first ten minutes. Old Blues hit back with strikes from Brendan Baker, John Bull and an own goal against a Te Puke side that ended with eight men on the field.

Tokoroa edged themselves to the fringes of the promotion race with a 1-0 win at lowly Ngongotaha. In the other game, all the goals came in the final ten minutes as Richardson Racing Stables Matamata reserves beat Te Awamutu 2-1 at the Matamata Domain.