Round 4 vs Awakeri All Stars 11 June

Fitness levels were sorely tested, though, with our fitter players forced into extra sprint training as they raced on the heels of a couple of super-fast Awakeri runners. The game was played end to end, with lots of pressure on the Diamond defenders and goalies.

First-half goalie Ryleah delivered some lovely saves, and tough defender Sharyn patrolled the back end of the field like a Doberman in a scrapmetal yard. However, a momentary lapse let Awakeri score a great first-half goal.

Midfielder Millie had an incredible game, producing drive after drive and showing fabulous ball control, determination and concentration. Sienna also had an excellent game, her sharp turns and effortless changes of direction showing off her natural athleticism and balance. She also used her tackling skills to good effect.

Kalani has great presence both on the pitch and off, with her winning sense of team spirit always to the fore. Whether she is in the thick of play, or on the subs’ bench taking a well-earned breather, she is always 100 per cent in the game, and spends her sideline time cheering her team on.

Maia had her best game of the season so far, making some great intercepts and showing plenty of grit in the thick of scrum-like play. If she keeps up the hard work, she will be a force to be reckoned with in the midfield.

Second-half goalie Bella worked hard and played brilliantly in goal. Facing a fusillade of goal-shots, she pounced on each of them, letting only one through to bring the scoreline to 2-0.

Sharyn worked extra hard during the second half, chasing Awakeri’s fleet-footed attackers, but by now the girls were tiring. Ryleah and Millie launched attack after attack, but it’s a long run to the goal mouth when you’re on your own, and their best individual efforts came to nought.

Another loss for the Diamonds – but, again, did that bother them? Nope, not really.

 Maia earned Player of the Day for all-round fantastic play. Way to go, Maia!

Round 3 vs Ohope Jets 28 May

The Jets started as they meant to go on, making drive after drive at the goal. Luckily, Diamonds goalie Amy was on top form (as she has been all season) and stayed strong and steely-eyed despite the pressure. But a high shot by Alex flew over Amy’s head, and the Jets were on the scoreboard early.

The shock seemed to electrify the Diamonds. Sharyn and Sienna stepped up the tackling, frustrating many Jet drives. At the other end, our strikers homed in on the goal. Maia took the ball right up to the goal, aimed, fired – but went wide. Oh no!

Midfielder Emily picked up the baton, then. Possibly spurred on by a bit of sibling rivalry with Jets midfielder and little bro Sam (her poor mum didn’t know which team to cheer for), Emily skipped lightly down the field and tapped in a well-aimed shot. Surely it was a goal … but no! Jets goalie Jonathan showed why he was the right man for the job, and stopped the Diamonds from making it 1-all. Boo!

This time it was Millie’s turn to have a go, making a brilliant attack and showing the fire that won her Player of the Day last week. It all came to nothing, though – except for giving the mums and dads a bit of aerobic exercise on the sidelines.

The Jets continued piling the pressure on our defenders and goalie, but Sharyn - showing her stubborn streak –  dug her heels in, and Amy stayed focused and unflinching in the firing line. At half-time, the score remained 1-0.

Maia bravely put her hand up for second-half goalie – giving Amy the chance to wreak some havoc upfield, downfield, in fact all over the field. Wow, this player has really turned up the volume this season and is showing a strong, clear head for football. In fact, for the rest of the report I’m going to call her Awesome Amy.

Awesome Amy opened the second half with a burst of fire. She sent a bullet hurtling toward the goal, but goalie Jonathan saved it. Unperturbed, Awesome Amy was all over the midfield, tackling then switching effortlessly to attack.

Kalani and Bella kept up good pressure midfield, too, and Millie got all the parents jumping up and down on the sideline again with another amazing attacking drive.

But the Jets had found their feet: Alex hammered in one goal and then Jamieson slammed in another – 3-0. They kept up the bombardment but Maia had decided enough was enough, and nothing was getting past her now. Good work, Maia!

 Meanwhile, Emily hadn’t finished yet, helping herself to another couple of shots at goal and giving Sharyn the idea to have a go herself. Despite this never-say-die approach, the Diamonds couldn’t get anything into the net and the game ended with a scoreline that didn’t really reflect the Diamonds’ efforts.

To be fair, though, it did indicate the quality of the Jets’ sometimes dazzling footwork, great teamwork, focus and determination. Well done, training buddies!  But we’ll get ya next time!

Player of the Day was Sharyn for great tackling and defending.

EBOPJMC 2011
7th GRADE