Friday, 23 July 2010
WHAKATANE Town are definite title contenders after their eighth consecutive win in the Waikato Bay of Plenty federation league on Saturday.
They easily accounted for Otumoetai 4-1 and remain in second place with a game in hand, three points behind leaders Rotorua United.
The Pullar Builders team have won 11 of their 13 games and are unbeaten at Rex Morpeth Park.
Whakatane also have the best goal difference in the league having scored 45 goals and conceded just 13.
In the federation second division, Kawerau had a defence-dominated match with Hamilton North that resulted in a 1-1 draw.
In the Bay of Plenty first division, Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers had a 2-1 win over Taupo 2. Rangers had a strong second half and the win was sealed by a 45-metre goal from Adam Mayor.
The Whakatane second team had a last-minute loss to Tauranga City United at Rex Morpeth Park. The teams were locked at 1-1 before the visitors found a winner.
In the Bay second division Whakatane lost 2-0 to Te Puke while Opotiki had a vital away win, beating Ngongotaha 2-0.
The women’s teams played their matches in the federation cup competition.
Whakatane Chiropractor Centre scored a late winner to beat Claudelands Rovers 1-0 and in the Federation Bowl Whakatane Town Reserves had a 1-1 draw with Te Awamutu.