The two teams representing Northland at the annual Weir Rosebowl tournament - for players under 12 - at St Peters in Cambridge last week both performed with distinction noted NFF development officer Dave Alabaster.
The event was played from Thursday to Saturday, October 10-12, and the boys team managed one win from seven games while the girls took two draws from their seven games to finish 10th out of the 12 teams in their pool. Alabaster said the quality of the opposition was real eye opener for many players but they refused to be overawed by the occasion.
"Both teams played very well but it was a bit of a shock for them. But they were in every game they played, could have easily gotten better results. Far North players who made the sides included Nickolas Covich, Cameron Hansford (both Kaitaia), and Taine Lonsdale, Jack Williams (of Kerikeri in the boys' team); and Brydie Harrison, Kalani Walters Hewson* (both Ahipara), Jeul Anderson (Paihia), Lucia Avery (Russell), along with Holly Inwood and Tara Jackson* (from Kerikeri) in the girls' squad.
Alabaster credited keeper Lonsdale and midfielder Hansford along with the two Ahipara lasses for delivering standout performances over the three days.
*indicates North Force players.
