Football: Unbeaten league run continues

Dayne Willemsen is on top of the world after a double strike against Otumoetai on the weekend.

Rotorua United bounced back, after a disappointing cup exit, to remain unbeaten in the WaiBOP Premiership thanks to a Dayne Willemsen brace that helped his side to a last gasp 2-1 victory over Otumoetai at Tauranga's Fergusson Park.

Second-placed Rotorua, who suffered a recent 4-0 defeat at Taupo in the Anzac Day Chatham Cup Preliminary round match, visited mid-table Otumoetai on Saturday, and were 1-0 ahead at the break, thanks to a clinically taken penalty from in-form Willemsen, after he had been brought down inside the box.

Otumoetai responded strongly after halftime and hit back with an equaliser from Juan Pablo Rosende. However, with just four minutes to go United winger Jason Walker beat three players out wide and squared to Willemsen on the edge of the area, who beat his marker and calmly slotted home.

Ian Walker, Rotorua's head coach, was delighted with how his team battled, in what was a hard fought victory, and was particularly impressed with some of the young reserve players who were called upon after several experienced United players picked up injuries during the match.

"What a thrilling game, it went right down to the wire," said Walker, who added, "it was made harder because we picked up two or three injuries and so our young reserve players had to stand up and perform.

"They did a great job, really sticking to the game plan and battling hard in every challenge.

"Also Dayne once again showed his class and popped up just when we needed him. Hopefully his form will keep on giving."

United have now won all five league games this season, which leaves them in second place, on 15 points, behind fellow Rotorua side Ngongotaha, who lead on goal difference after their scheduled opponents, Tauranga Boys' College, defaulted citing school commitments - giving the Villagers the most comfortable victory they will have all season.

Both sides are five points ahead of third-placed Matamata Swifts, however something must give this coming Saturday as Ngongotaha head across town to play United in a spicy derby, which will be the match of the season so far.

Elsewhere in the premiership the Swifts defeated Katikati 2-0 at home and current champions, Cambridge, beat Melville United 4-2 at John Kerkhof Park to move into fourth whilst Waikato Unicol dropped more points after being held to a 1-all draw at home by Old Blues.

The final premiership match saw SGS Papamoa beat bottom side Tauranga City United 4-1.

In the WaiBOP Championship, top of the table Taupo dropped points for the first time this season, after being held to a 2-all draw at Crown Park by unbeaten third-placed side West Hamilton United while Waikato Unicol pushed up to second, and are only out of the top spot on goal difference, after beating bottom of the league Old Blues 1-0 ,thanks to a Hamish Utteridge strike.

Hamilton Wanderers surprisingly dropped points after being held to a 1-all draw at Otumoetai, sliding to fourth, but only two points behind Taupo and Unicol.

Ngongotaha continued their unbeaten start to the season with an impressive 3-1 over Te Awamutu Edmonds Judd at Stembridge Rd with a Simon Te Kiri's hat-trick.

In the other match played, Tokoroa won a close one, 2-1, over Matamata Swifts at Matamata Domain while Whakatane Town failed to make the trip to John Kerkhof Park, thus defaulting their match to Cambridge.

WaiBOP results from Saturday:

Premiership results: Otumoetai 1-2 Rotorua United, Cambridge FC 4-2 Melville United, Tauranga City 1-4 SGS Papamoa, Matamata Swifts 2-0 Katikati, Waikato Unicol 1-1 Old Blues, Ngongotaha 3-0 Tauranga Boys' College (default).

Points: Ngongotaha 15, Rotorua 15, Matamata Swifts 10, Cambridge 9, Waikato Unicol 8, Otumoetai 7, Tauranga City 4.

Championship results: Otumoetai 1-1 Hamilton Wanderers, Matamata Swifts 1-0 Tokoroa AFC, Ngongotaha 3-1 Te Awamutu Edmond Judd, Waikato Unicol 1-0 Old Blues, Taupo 2-2 West Hamilton, Cambridge 3-0 Whakatane Town (default).

Points: Taupo 10, Waikato Unicol 10, West Hamilton 9, Hamilton Wanderers 8, Ngongotaha 8, Tokoroa 8, Te Awamutu Edmond Judd 6, Cambridge 6.