Football: Ngongotaha are champions

Ngongotaha has plenty to celebrate after their football team managed to secure the title of the men's Federation Two championship with two rounds still remaining.
There were smiles all round at Stembridge Rd, where the villagers defeated Te Awamutu 4-0. Those smiles turned to cheers and back-slaps after news came through that their only challengers, Waikato Unicol, had been thumped 7-0 by Katikati, meaning Ngongotaha were champions with two games to play. After several seasons in the doldrums it has been a great year for Ngongotaha and they are worthy winners. Despite their loss, Unicol can still finish second to gain promotion with Ngongotaha.
In a bottom-of-the-table clash, Cambridge finished their season with the wooden spoon after losing 3-1 to Matamata.
In Division One there was little for Rotorua United coach Neil Rush to smile about when he handed the WaiBop Challenge Shield to Claudelands Rovers coach Jim Keaney in the Neil Hunt Park United clubrooms.
It was a critical game for United. A win would have seen them take outright third from Claudelands, and hold the Challenge Shield over summer, but from the kickoff it was Claudelands who showed more determination and cohesion.
For United Kieran Vandergoot battled gamely up front but lacked service and support while Nick Te Miha, who has recently been selected in the Cook Islands national squad, stood out for his defensive play. Rovers went ahead on the half hour when a 30m shot-cum-cross found the top corner of the net. Rotorua came out with more gusto in the second spell but Rovers soaked up the pressure to regain control.
Rovers deservedly doubled their lead with a good finish which beat Andrew Gibbs on the near post and with time up they made it 3-0 after the United defence failed to clear the ball which bounced back and forth across the goal box.
It was a disappointing performance and result for United who were playing their last home game.
Old Blues retained their eight-point advantage at the top of the table after a 3-0 win over Tauranga Boys' College.
Both sides played some good football in what was an entertaining game and for the college team it was a good performance leading into the schools national tournament. Rueben Wood and an own goal gave Old Blues a 2-0 lead at the break and, although they dominated the second half, they added just one more goal when Jack McNab netted.
Otumoetai had a convincing 5-0 win over Otorohanga at Fergusson Park at the weekend. Matt Collins opened the scoring in the 20th minute and five minutes later Tim Miller made it 2-0. Otumoetai were well in control at the break after Collins netted his second.
Otorohanga's' cause was not helped when their keeper was red-carded for deliberate hand ball outside the penalty box but although they battled hard Trent Hickman and player of the day Miller scored to underline the home team's superiority.
Any remote chance of Te Puke avoiding relegation disappeared at Centennial Park when they were beaten 3-0 by Ngaruawahia, while Whakatane Town's run of dismal results continued after being well beaten 6-0 by Melville United who moved into fourth place.
AFC Fury and Taupo battled out a scoreless draw.