Hamilton football: Claudelands Rovers ending the season on a high note

Jacob Robb battles for the ball. Photo / Pete Davies

It has been a mixed season for Claudelands Rovers' two premier teams.

Their men's premier league team under Mark Cossey and Shane Combers will finish third in division two, a spot away from promotion to division one.

On Saturday the team displayed why it missed out on a top two finish, with a dreadful first half, followed up by a improved second half - the story of their season.

For the home fans and the coaches, it was frustrating to watch Claudelands unable to string two passes together, yet they took the lead in the opening 15 minutes through Jono Viviani.

Their opponents Albany United dominated the first half, and deservedly found themselves a goal of their own and pulling the game back to 1-1 before the half time whistle.

The hair dryer treatment came out for the Claudelands players, and must have had an impact as in the second half they played the football that has been winning praises from local fans.

Lewis Mitchell Donald put Claudelands in front in the opening of the second half. Bailey Webster returned from his injury with a goal from the penalty spot before Viviani got his second of match to give Claudelands a 4-1 win on the day.

Despite missing out on promotion, the season can be considered a success for Claudelands. They will finish much higher up the table than in previous years, and if they can retain their current players, they should make another strong push for promotion next season.

Claudelands Premier Women's v Papakura

On Sunday the club's women's team travelled to Papakura for one of their final games of the season.

It has been a season to forget in terms of results for the team, with them going into the game on just two points.

Prior to the beginning of the season, the club lost several of its key players to local rivals Hamilton Wanderers and have struggled to recover since.

On Sunday, you would have struggled to realise the team was sitting last, such was the mood and spirit of the teams.

Backed by their youth team from the stands, Claudelands defeated Papakura 4-1 to pick up their first win of the season.

Leanna Ryan grabbed the first goal for the reds as she took advantage of a defensive mishap at the back to give Claudelands a 1-0 lead.

At the start of the second half, Papakura pulled the game level again, but their hard work was undone by a piece of magic from Tiana Hill.

A free kick was awarded to Claudelands and from 35 yards out and Hill superbly dispatched it into the back of the net.

Chloe Henderson then capitalised on a 1 on 1 chance to put Claudelands 3-1 up, before a Leanna Ryan cross cannoned off the post and into Summer Gunn who made it 4-1.

Olivia Schuler and Stella Neems were stand-out performers from the fall back positions, allowing Claudelands the opportunities to keep pressing the attack.

Next season there is a cloud of uncertainty over the squad, but for 90 minutes on Sunday, the Claudelands women's team showed what they are capable of.