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10 Hauraki-Coromandel Post
hcpost.news | Thursday, July 10, 2025
Thames FC Battle Back to Beat Claudelands Rovers in the Wet
after the break, becoming more patient with their build-up and maintaining possession with ease. Kim and Yusuke Koizumi combined effectively on the left, leading to a melee in the box that was eventually cleared. It was Sogo who produced a moment of quality that gave Thames the lead. Kim’s header found Sogo on the left; he jinked into the box and powerfully fired a left-footed shot into the near post for 2-1. Claudelands pressed hard to get back into the game, but Thames kept creating chances. Sogo nearly completed a hat- trick when the goalkeeper parried Kim’s shot; his follow- up hit the post. Thames showed a level of control following the goal that had been lacking in recent weeks, calmly keeping possession and running down the clock. The match ended in a flurry of cards, with both sides losing discipline after a combative contest. Reagan Winslow and Bradley Barton-Reese were dismissed after receiving second yellow cards, and with tempers flaring, the referee brought proceedings to a close.
minutes later.
by J onathan C oles A spirited
Fernando Bassem Souilem expertly controlled the ball and set up Michael Kim, who delivered a perfectly timed through pass to Michael Sogo. The Solomon Islands winger skillfully rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the net, bringing the match back to level terms. Thames then had their own storm to weather, with some brilliant defending keeping the game level. Riyan Ratten made a crucial goal-saving clearance following a chaotic goalmouth scramble before Mathew Burchell pulled off a magnificent right-handed save after a long pass skimmed off the greasy surface. Burchell was called into action again moments later, palming away a powerful near-post strike from Bradley Mardon following a failed clearance, with captain Keegan Apperley stepping in to make a crucial clearance. With Thames under the cosh, the half-time whistle was a welcome relief. While Claudelands had the better chances in the first half, Thames enjoyed greater control
team performance capped off with a touch of magic from Michael
Sogo, saw T&R Interior Systems Thames FC Men return from a wet outing in Hamilton with all three points. A period of heavy rain before kick-off left the players battling a tricky surface from the outset. The game began with a squelch, as the standing water made ball retention problematic. A promising spell of pressure produced the game’s first opportunity, with Reagan Winslow reacting well to a loose ball. The onrushing James Andrews smartly smothered the young winger’s low shot. The slippery conditions contributed to the opening goal, with the hosts taking the lead. A long cross into the box from right-back Jacob Mardon was mishandled, and Oliver Bell was on hand to tap the ball into an empty net. Thames responded admirably, shaking off the error and drawing level just three the playing through champions taking on the much-improved Green Machine of Paeroa. It'll be a cracker of a match too, the clinical structure of Waihi versus the Barbarian style of Paeroa. The hard track at Whitianga will encourage both games to play to their strengths, so it's going to be a match for the ages. But how'd the teams get there, well, we'll head to the swamp that was Centennial Park first, where Paeroa went into extra time to beat Mercury Bay. A fantastic match, with skill levels off the charts in the wet. The home team led at the half, thanks to the boot of Bitner Johansson and three successful shots at goal from the depths of the mud. Mercury Bay's usually reliable kicker Tom Larke on the other hand had serious problems with his range finder, and would have had trouble kicking over
PHOTO: MARK BROWN - ONE-OF-A-KIND PHOTOGRAPHY Man in form - Yusuke Koizumi moves forward. “This result felt like it was coming - a true old-school-style slog in the wet,” said Captain Keegan Apperley. “The boys showed a lot of character: working our way back into the game, taking our chances, and defending strongly when it mattered.” It was wins all round for
PHOTO: MARK BROWN - ONE-OF-A-KIND PHOTOGRAPHY Jessica Rendall with the corner.
Thames, as the Women’s side also secured three points in a tough away fixture. They edged out Northern United Women 4-3 in a thrilling contest, with Ceyda Nemburt, Beth Powell, and Emma Hinds-Senior with two goals all getting on the scoresheet capping off a brilliant weekend for the club.
Thames Valley Club Rugby Semi-finals by T ighthead T ed A nd just like that, there were two. A replay of last year's final is on the menu, Waihi Athletic, pretty to watch, even for this old frontrower who'd happily watch rolling mauls for 80 minutes.
Highlight of the day though, as ole Ted arrived to see the C semi final, Ngatea v Waihi, was watching the Ngatea goalkicker make a mound of turf to kick his team's first points of the match. Even better, with the ball toppling off the mound, his teammate grabbing it and placing it back onto the mound - with the finger on the top of the ball, kicker one stepped in and slotted the goal. Any older school, and he'd have done it bare-footed ala Bob Scott (look that one up kids, one of the greats). Next week will be a fascinating final. How will the teams handle the travel logistics? How will last years result play on Paeroa's minds? Will the easy semi- final help Waihi? WOMENS SEMI FINALS Paeroa 52 beat Te Aroha 5 Coromandel 42 beat Hauraki North 5 Under 21
a sandcastle, let alone a rugby ball from the depths of a Thames Valley swamp. The second half was a try apiece, and the boot of Larke with two penalties brought the match to the deadlock after 80 minutes. Mercury Bay received the kickoff, and proceeded to shoot themselves in the foot. A silly penalty, Paeroa take the kick to the corner option, phase after phase of accurate attack, and boom Tyrone Keith, like a thief in the night, stole the match winner, and the spot in the final. All in all an epic match in atrocious conditions worthy of a final - but still a
Not that Waihou didn't go down swinging, a nicely taken driven try to hooker Scotty Day early in the second spell put a bit of light in the eyes of the visitors, but Waihi replied quickly, and the game was safe. Waihou camped in the Waihi 22 for the final 15 minutes - much to me old mate Bart's disgust, he was camped down at the other end of the field waiting for Waihi to cut loose - but were unable to pierce the staunch Waihi
PHOTO: THAMES VALLEY RUGBY UNION The Club season culminates in this weekend’s Grand Finals held this coming Saturday.
defence. Waihi's best on the field were Lock Dylan Horne, the loose trio of Kenan Gillson, Isaac Seiuli and Lesen Huiarangi. At the end of the day Waihou needed to drag Waihi into a battle and knock them off their stride, which they failed to do, hence the result.
third time this season, their pace and precision being too much for the steady Waihou side, who tried hard, but just lacked the cutting edge needed to upset the home team. Waihi were their usual polished selves, forward power getting over the gainline, before the backline being unleashed. It's
week to go before anyone picks up any silverware, and they'll have to go through Waihi to get there. Which segways nicely into the Waihi versus Waihou semi final (that's a new word ole Tighthead Ted learned, hopefully used right, if not, pretend that it was). Hot favourites Waihi had little trouble beating Waihou for the
Hinuera 14 lost to Rugby United 17 Under 19 Rua-North 17 lost to College Rifles 19
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