College make mark at nationals

The Wairarapa College first XI girls' football team made a bold showing at a New Zealand secondary schools tournament in Papamoa last week, placing sixth out of the 24 teams.

Pool matches saw Wairarapa College beat Manuwera High 2-0, Mt Maunganui 2-1, Otorohanga 6-0 and Paraparaumu 4-0 and lose 1-0 to Auckland's Marist.

Those results meant Wairarapa College finished second in their pool and qualified for the top eight playoffs.

Their quarter-final against Pukekohe was a thriller, with Pukekohe, who eventually went on to win the title, winning 2-1.

That then left Wairarapa College playing off to decide the rankings from fifth to eighth.

They beat Kerikeri 3-0 and then lost their fifth and sixth playoff game 1-0 against Auckland's Baradene College.

Standout players of the tournament from Wairarapa College were midfielder TA Hurihanganui, defenders Baeley Ravenwood and Stacey Cottle and Alison Andrews-Paul, who excelled in the attack.