“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

While Dickens got A Tale Of Two Cities off to a start with this line, this is what best describes our “game of two halves”.

Pitted against the ferocious Te Awamutu team for our second game of the season, we were perhaps a little slow out of the blocks.

The Rosetown girls charged their way through the early stages of the match, having many opportunities to take an early lead, but fortunately were repeatedly thwarted by our new look and extremely skilled back line consisting of Lani Guilford, Chloe McCarthey, Jo Good, Tom Cruise's first cousin, Vannessa Cruise (a rumour that’s yet to be founded) and lead by the capable Kylie Olsthoorn.

Despite the Rosey girls doing their best to upset our game, it was indeed Matamata that struck the first blow. After clawing our way back into the match with some classy passing, Sarah Monteith scored the opening goal, receiving a well placed pass from the Daniel Carter of womans football, Serena Jenkins. Beating two defenders (Sarah claims it was five) she chipped the advancing keeper with her LEFT FOOT!!

Jubilation would be short lived, as TA from kick off scored the equaliser within a matter of seconds. Although, to be fair, we were still celebrating with high fives and our keeper was busy completing her cartwheel as the ball sailed past her. Celebrations have now been toned down.

Despite this hiccup, it was Matamata that dominated the first half, but with what’s been a problem thus far, we failed to capitalise on all our possession.

The second half was tough going, the Rosetown Girls gave us no room for error and pressed on with relentless determination.

Two more goals came their way, making the final score 3-1, but it could have been a lot more if not for the cat like reflexes of keeper Jennifer Lee Hull, saving shots from all over the park (and the field) with the grace of a Russian ballerina, athleticism not seen since the reign of Sandra Miller between the two white poles of the late 1990’s.

This earning her player of the day, closely followed by Kylie Olsthoorn, Nan Lapmoon and Chantelle Van Waveren who also put in very worthy performances.

Dedicated Team Manager,
Vannessa Hull