With a strong start to the tournament, the Placemakers PNBHS 1st XI saw off Rotorua Boys’ High School in game one: 3-1.
Rotorua allowed PNBHS room to move the ball around the defensive five, but their tight block defence took some work to exploit. It was a piercing ball from Matt Rowe though to Jaiden Meyer that started the surge forwards. A snappy cross to the far post brought Xavier Coleman into action, heading the ball strongly into the net. A free kick a while later put Alex Kilkelly over the ball, swinging it into a line of white shirts. Daniel McDougal took the honours, getting a toe on it and increasing the lead.
The second half began with a great save from Brooklyn Browne, and later and handball penalty awarded to PNBHS saved by the Rotorua keeper. The third PNBHS goal stemmed much the same and the first; Matt Rowe finding a passage through the defence to Adarsh Dutt, who touched on to Jaiden Meyer, creating a 1-on-1 with the keeper. Late in the game, efforts by Daniel McDougall were tapped over the crossbar and Bay Shi bounced one off the crossbar. All in all, a good start to the tournament.
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