Puaikura triumphs over Avatiu

The flood gates opened 11 times during the main Lotto Premiership men’s football match between host Avatiu and Puaikura where visitors Puaikura proved too strong for Avatiu, defeating them by 11 goals to 1 at the Avatiu swamp last Saturday.

Puaikura dominated ball and field possession in the first 25 minutes of play as they took advantage of Avatiu’s shortage of players.

In the 30th minute Puaikura’s Samuel Shaheem put his side onto the score board with Pekay Edwards and Paavo Mustonen adding another two goals before the half-time break.

Top goal scorer for the day was Puaikura’s Paavo Mustonen, who bagged five goals for his team, with Dwayne Tiputoa and BJ Heather also putting their name on the score cards.

Avatiu managed to put their side onto the score board when Puaikura’s substitute goal keeper tried to clear the ball away from his goal area only to commit a foul on Avatiu’s Marcelo Rairoa.

Rairoa put his side on the score board after easily placing their sole goal past Puaikura’s goal keeper John Vano.

The match ended in favour of visitors Puaikura by 11 goals to 1.

Puaikura captain Paul Luiz Van Eijk commended Avatiu for a tough match against his team and looks forward to their next opponent Tupapa Maraerenga.

“Avatiu made us work hard for our first goal despite being down several players,” says Van Eijk.

“Now it’s back to the drawing board and organise ourselves for our game next week against the 2012 Lotto Premiership champions, Tupapa Maraerenga.”

In the senior women’s championship Pauikura beat Avatiu by three goals to nil with their goals all scored during the first half of the match through Shannon Livingston and twice through Linade Unuka who proved to be lethal and a menace for Avatiu’s defenders. Avatiu had several chances at putting their team on the score card but were unable to find the back of the net.

At Titikaveka in the senior women’s match host Titikaveka beat Takuvaine by six goals to nil. Titikaveka’s youngster Paulina Ponga scored a hat trick for her side while Tyrina Trego shot two goals and Edwina Matenga added the third goal.

In the other Lotto Premiership men’s match on Friday – Nikao Sokattak edged out over hosts Matavera by two goals to one.

Matavera scored first through Geoffrey Tama in the 13th minute, however it was short lived when Nikao Sokattak’s Samuel Koiatu equalised with a header.

In the second spell Takuina Tararo put the visitors ahead by two goals to one much to the thrill of Nikao supporters.

Nikao Sokattak walked away with the win defeating a determined Matavera outfit by two goals to one.

Full results: Avatiu vs Puaikura (Avatiu scores first) – Premier Men 1-11, Senior Women 0-3, Under 17 Men 0-7, Under 14 Boys win by default to Puaikura, Under 14 Girls 0-0, Under 11 Mixed 0-0, Titikaveka vs Takuvaine (Titikaveka scores first) – Senior Women 6-0, Under 17 Men 15-1, Under 14 Boys 3-0, Under 14 Girls 0-0, Under 11 Mixed 2-0, Matavera vs Nikao Sokattak (Matavera scores first) – Premier Men 1-2, Senior Women 0-5, Under 17 Men 1-21, Under 14 Boys 0-4, Under 14 Girls 0-0, Under 11 Mixed 3-2.