Local bobbies stand tall

The Northland team, from back left are Mo Atiq (coach, Whangarei police), Tom Nankivell (Kaitaia), Gareth Lloyd (Whangarei), James Van Engelen (Kaitaia), Dean Gillingham (Whangarei), Richard Hislop (Kerikeri), Jeremy Perkins (Whangarei), Chris Dunbar (Whangarei), Wendy McDermott (Whangarei), Geoff Bigwood (Whangarei), Warren Bunn (manager, Whangarei); front: Steve Daykin (Kaitaia police), Mark Roberts (Kerikeri), Craig Curnow (Dargaville), Sarah Halvorson (Whangarei), Grant Morland (Whangarei), Jake Manaton (Whangarei), Natalie Sydall (Kerikeri), Johann Van Loggerenberg (Whangarei).

Far North players featured for the Northland team which won the football title at the NZ Police 2016 Winter Games in Queenstown on Friday after beating hosts Southern Districts 2-1 last Friday.

After going behind against the run of play. Northland replied with pressure and equalised with eight minutes to go when Craig Curnow headed in off a Steve Daykin corner before the matchwinner came a mere two minutes later with Dean Gillingham also nodding home off another Daykin corner.

A team spokesman described the win as a great fightback by the Northland squad of 18 which included three women and said the side had gone south with plans to revenge last year's final's loss.

The side played four games in three days at the foot of the Remarkables including 3-0 and 3-1 wins over Counties Manukau, and a 3-0 loss to favourites Southern Districts in pool play.

Standouts included Jake Manaton with two hat-tricks, Natalie Syddall in midfield and Mark Roberts from Kerikeri voted by the referees and other teams as the tournament's overall MVP.