Soccer: Tikipunga advances

A hat-trick by Tikipunga's Josh Morunga finally helped his side silence the challenge of Bream Bay United in their Stafford Choat Cup quarter-final.

The first division side weren't expected to push the premier team, particularly with its North Force players available for the game, but twice they went ahead before the score was levelled 2-2 at half-time.

The break allowed the Tikipunga side to reflect on their shortcomings and Morunga's hat-trick and a double strike by Steve Crowley saw them rewarded for their second half dominance to finally win 5-2.

Bream Bay were a tough side to wear down however and their plan to play in the premier division next season seems like a sound one.

In other Cup quarter-finals, Central Brown Premiers knocked out FC Whangarei's premier side 3-1, while Kaitaia became the only non-premier grade side to progress through to the semifinals with a 2-1 win over Tikipunga Reserves.

Kerikeri Premiers are the fourth semifinalist with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Onerahi at the Airport Ground.

There were two shootouts in the Bowl competition with Central Brown Reserves showing their experience to slot all five penalties to progress, after their match against Madhatters-Marist was tied 2-2 after extra time.

FC Whangarei's first division side upset Madhatter's premier side by beating them 3-1 in the shootout after drawing 2-2.

There will be two FC Whangarei sides in the Bowl semifinals after FC Reserves beat Onerahi Reserves 3-1, with Premier Grade Champions Kamo beating Kerikeri Reserves 4-1 to take the other berth.