Stop Out's 14th JPL team were 

generously supported on their Kanga Cup trip by;

Century Yuasa Batteries,

Upper Hutt Car Sales,

Faiveley Transport,

and many other businesses from the Hutt Valley and beyond.

Stop Out 3 Tawa 1 (1:0) Greg 2, Lachy

Last game of the winter and a chance to put on a good performance for a good crowd of family & friends who have supported the team over the last few seasons and in particular a busy 2010.

We make a strong start, purposeful in our play and are on the front foot in most play. Scott E and Keelan deal well with the lofted bouncing ball as we play into a brisk northerly. Up front Lachy is enjoying the battle with a good Tawa midfield and our attacking play down the left with Scott O and Cameron featuring is encouraging. It takes a while but a very good interchange of passes finally opens up the Tawa defence and Greg latches onto the far post ball to slam home the opener. Play shifts to the right in the period before the half time break, Nathaniel and Greg working well together but there's no luck for Alex or Cameron up front and we can't quite add to the lead. Tom is strong when dropped into the middle of the park, until injury curtails his participation.

In the second half we continue to dominate, Jimmy directing the switches in play and Harrison aided by Kelsey behind him is on fire down the left hand side with darting runs. At the back Davey is the equal to the sporadic Tawa attacks, dominating his goal box when required. We finally extend the lead, two goals in quickish succession from bright play in the atacking third. Greg is all skill and a cool head to grab his second and Lachy is the last red shirted player to touch a ball that a defender under pressure skews into his own net. Scott O makes a very strong cameo appearance up front and with an ounce of luck we might have added a couple more to the tally. At the back the patience on the ball and the support play is magnificent, the whole team showing that they can play a technical game of short passing and possession no matter where they are on the pitch. Tawa do steal one back with almost the last kick of the game, a well taken 30 yarder, but all morning their attempts have been limited to long shots and a few corners in the second half that as a team were defended well.

It's a pleasing way to wrap the season, some fabulous team play in a good spirited game on a good surface at Hutt Park. Player of the Day; a fair few deseve but Nathaniel is very strong in all he does on the right flank.

Stop Out 0 Wellington College 5 (0:2)

Last round of the Super Sixes and nothing less than a two goal win will help us progress to the final this winter. We certainly start well, there's width in our play thanks to Greg and Nathaniel feeding off balls from the centre of the park but the contest is keen and WC are top of the table for a good reason. They have some tall timber in their midst and put it to good effect at a set piece, a little against the run of play they lead 1-0. Their guile up front causes us a few issues and despite our defences toil we are down by 2 at the half.

Unfortunately against a team of their quality you can't give up two goals, there's no howling wind behind our back and no slipping in WC's approach. We have a morning without our mojo and struggle across the park to impose ourselves for any length of time, up front when we break through Lachy, Harrison or Keelan we find their defence well organised and the keeper in good form. Kelsey works hard  at left back and Tom never steps back from the challenge but as we try to get back into the game we leave gaps that are ruthlessly exposed at the back, conceding three more in the second half.

A disappointing end to our campaign but after three years dominating this league we should be flattered that other teams have strived to match us and used us as the benchmark to aspire to. For our team it's a time to show we can be graceful in defeat and congratulate WC on a top drawer performance. There's still plenty of football to play in the next month and we will now put our attention to that.

Stop Out 2 Onslow 2 (2:0) Lachy 2

A beaut evening up at Te Whaea turf for our catch up game against Onslow. It's tight in this years Super Six and Onslow are like us one of the contenders.

We are bright from the word go, we have play down both flanks and knock the ball around with comfort, all players enjoying the superb surface and it's assistance to playing the ball on the deck. We switch play at times with will, and Greg on the right with support from Scott O and Nathaniel are playing some incisive football while down the left Jimmy and Kels' link well feeding through to the pairing of Lachy and Alex up front. Their strength causes problems for the Onslow defence and after 20 minutes some interplay between players tees up Lachy from 20 yards and his shot is far too hot for the Onslow keeper.

We do have a few scares at the back, Onslow play the long ball fast break game well but Davey reads all their attacks well and when needed there's great cover work from Cameron, Tom and Keelan. Keelan gets himself forward a few times and he's causing a few headaches for Onslow as we continue to play the better football. A few minutes before the break we're up by two when Lachy heads home strongly from a Jimmy corner and the half time whistle is not welcome as the games momentum is with us.

As often happens there's a rally after the break from the opposition, and for a 10-15 minute spell we lose our mojo. We have Onslow players in our faces and we struggle to get the ball on the deck and to feet, Onslow sneak one back at a corner and then equalise with a well takenn hail mary shot from outside the box.

The first halfs good work undone in less than 5 minutes and our season is hanging by a thread. We slowly get ourselves sorted, the cooler heads prevail and our defensive work is better - though again Davey is in good nick and as we press forward looking for the lead he becomes almost the sweeper in the back four.

There's enterprising toil from Harrison up front including a glancing header and amongst the players we have numerous blocked shots as we lay seige to the Onslow goal. Greg involved from the right setting our attacks, Cameron from the left with Kels' and Lachy dominant on that flank, while Jimmy and Keelan surge through the middle of the park at times - but despite our best endeavours we can't score, and we stayed locked at 2-2 at the final whistle.

The draw means we are left relying somewhat on other results to progress to this years Cup final, but there's still the challenge of Wgtn Coll' this week and some revenge for the earlier loss in round robin play. At times the football tonight was superb, players fluid in their positional play and enjoying the surface for knocking the ball around - which all augurs well for not only the forthcoming trip to Taupo but also the coming years as they progress to senior football. Player of the Day - Tom.

Stop Out 1 Lower Hutt 1 (0:1) Lachy

Hutt Park on a wet, cold morning and we need a result to keep up the momentum for a place in the Cup Final. Tom & Keelan are the new pairing at the back, with Scott E pushing into the midfield on a morning when a few have struggled with a lurgy during the week.

We are good value right from the word go, into our game quickly and across the park beating LH to the ball. There's good flank play from our wing backs, Nathaniel and Scott O, into their stride & supporting our attacks at every opportunity.

In the middle of the park the partnership of Scott E, Lachy, Spike and Jimmy outmuscles and out thinks their highly rated opponents but despite the endeavour of Greg and Alex we don't turn possession into goals. The LH team is well marshalled at the back and keep their shape despite our best attempts to break them down.

At the other end of the park LH take the lead after 30 minutes with a soft goal, it's well taken but the conditions play their part in their success from a hit and hope ball into the box. At the half we've dominated, had a few chances  - especially at corners, but trail by one.

In the second half the contest is for a time a little more even, but for the most part the defence is firm - LH rolling subs quicker than Tranzmetro shifts passengers - as they try to unthread the defence of Kels', Keelan, Tom and Scott O. Though it has to be said despite the skill of Harrison with some deft touches and lay offs we're getting no change from the LH defence either.

Fifteen minutes to go when LH are awarded a penalty, but our man Davey is just superb as he flings himself full length to palm away the shot. This serves to fire up the team and we are soon rewarded when Lachy cracks a direct free kick that is just too hot for the LH keeper to hold.

We're level and spend the last 10 searching for a winner as LH roll more passengers and flood their defence. Kels' and Scott O advance forward, supporting the attacks & there's a teasing few crosses, corners, free kicks and shots that somehow stay out of the net. So in the end we have to settle for a share of the spoils.

All in all a very good team performance, and in the cold and rain the coach has a smile as we outplay the highly rated LH team of Fed and Rep players. Player of the Day, by popular vote; Davey.

Tawa 0 Stop Out 0

We are a skinny 12 this week, but keen to take on Tawa after another postponement in this wrteched winter. They're a good team with a very good midfield and orgainsed defence to battle.

Right from the word go we have the better of play, Nathaniel ripping down the right flank to support our attacks though a few half chances go begging and we can only say we're guilty of not showing composure in front of goal. The battle in midfield is keen, but for the most part Jimmy and Cameron are working once again well in tandem while Keelan is very strong at the back covering the odd Tawa break and it's great to see Kels' getting herself forward on the left flank as we look for an opening. We lose Scott E to injury and now things are real skinny on the subs bench!

At the half the only advice is to keep a cool head and show some calm in front of goal. Unfortunately the next 35 minutes will prove as frustrating as the first 35, we're most of the play but we either duff chances or can't quite deliver the final killer pass. Scott O continues his run of good form on the flank, Tom is strong when he switches to cover at the back, while Davey is all class on the sporadic times he's called into play. The toil of Lachy, Harrison and Alex unfortunately is to no avail in the front third - their keeper makes a couple of very tidy saves and we run out of time.

It was one of those days where possibly if we'd stayed all morning we probably still wouldn't have scored - despite having 75% of play.

A dissappointing morning but the bright points are our fate in the Super Sixes is still in our own hands with 3 games to go, we haven't conceded a goal as yet and we are dominating teams across the park.

Player of the Day; Scott O

Stop Out 2 Miramar 0 (1:0) OG, Alex

Back from Canberra and it's good to have everyone ft and raring to go for the start of the Super Six. We start with an "away" game at TeWhiti versus Miramar.

Right from the word go we dominate, play down the right flank driven by Nathaniel in good form at wing back. On a number of occassions he gets himself into shooting positions, but unfortunately we can't get an early reward for our endeavour. We hit the bar and create a number of opportunities that we don't quite finish but across the park it's fair to say all players are on song. In the end we have to satisfy ourselves with an OG, one of the Miramar players deflecting a swinging corner from Jimmy into his own net. The strength of our defensive patterns with Spike and Jimmy in good nick in front of Keelan and Scott E means Miramar rarely threaten our goal, but when they do Davey is steady in all his glove work.

The second half is more of the same, the front pairing involving two from  Alex, Greg & Harrison growing in understanding their roles meaning we spend more time camped in the front third of the park. Tom slips into midfield and has a solid morning, especially effective opening up space on the left hand flank. Connor completes a solid outing for the midfield who keep Miramar starved of possession. Our reward and the game made safe comes from Alex firing home from close range after a cross ball dissected the determined black and blue defense. Lachy has toiled hard behind the front two and at the back Scott O and Kelsey round out a solid team performance as the business end of the season gets underway.

Player of the Day, Spike.

Onslow 3 Stop Out 2 (1:0) Cameron, Lachy

Rough as guts morning, wind blowing, cold showers as we head to Nairnville and the pitch is not in good nick at all. We tackle Onslow without Davey - Tom steps in to wear the gloves.

We start well, particularly with Connor having a field day down the left with support at times from Alex & Lachy. More than just a few breaks and chances created but unfortunately they don't always fall kindly for us and we also rattle the woodwork at times - though for no reward. At the back we adapt to the strength's of Onslow and Keelan cuts Tam' out of the game, when needed Kelsey drops into a central role next to Scott and their defensive work is solid. Onslow are no mugs though and we're guilty of being spectators down the right hand side once too often as they tee up a chance from close range, it's well finished and we trail at the break.

The second half is a carbon copy of the first for a while, though Cameron and Scott O have made the right hand side our more likely route to goal with some exceptional play in the boggy conditions. Somewhat against the run of play we are punished for a lapse in concerntration at the back and trail by two, cruel luck for Tom who has been very strong in his play in goal.

What follows is 20 minutes of superb football - and it's by us. With Lachy and Jimmy pulling the strings from midfield we are like a rash all over Onslow, we've thrown caution to the wind and overload our presence up front and reduce our defence to just 3 players. Lachy and Cameron score the goals that level the game and we continue to play with pace looking for the winner. Unfortunately we are caught out down our left, a shot is tipped onto the bar and falls like a ribbon tied present at the feet of an Onslow player to gift them the lead. Despite our best endeavours we do everything but score in the final five minutes and a cracking game of football despite the conditions ends with us on the wrong side of the scoreline.

Despite the loss it's great to see Cameron in fine form, Scott O impressing in a forward thinking fullbacks role and Connor has a very good all round game. Lachy is at his most industrious and Jimmy looks very composed on the ball linking our play and switches of attack. Behind them Scott E and Kelsey are tigerish in very trying conditions for all.

Player(s) of the Day; Connor, Scott O and Cameron

Stop Out 5 Upper Hutt 0 (2:0) Lachy, Alex, Greg, Harrison, Nathaniel

Out to Richard Prouse for a ground change but we're pleased to be playing rivals Upper Hutt on a day when many grades were cancelled.

It was a big night on Friday, the team on deck at their fund raising evening the night before - and it seems we're just a little shy of juice at first. There's no real threat at the back though, it's more a case of we can't quite string together enough passes to make credible chances up front. Upper Hutt are enthusiastic in their work and keep us at bay for the first half an hour, with their keeper in good form when we do put anything on target. Some cajoling from the sideline and our play improves, passes start to stick and our opener is a troublesome near post corner that UH don't deal with and Lachy nods home. The goal helps settle players, and hard working Alex gets a cracker to double our advantage by the break. A well struck volley from the edge of the box that wouldn't have looked out of place on a bigger stage.

The second half is continued dominance by the team in Red, at the back Scott E looks at times to switch play which makes UH's morning tougher - though to their credit they never take a step back. After a patchy start the last 20 minutes is what the punters came to see. Our flank play, especially down the right is often sharp, fast and accurate with Tom in support behind the work of Jimmy, Alex, Nathaniel and Lachy. Cameron returns to the fray and is more focused in his work from midfield. There's a wonderful volley on the turn from Greg and for a powerful display Nathaniel is rewarded with a well taken goal. For a battling mornings effort Harrison gets one, one the keeper will have nightmares about in much the same way Robert Green is unable to sleep at night.

The pateince on the ball of the players is excellent for the last third of the match, tireless Lachy finding support from Jimmy - while at the back  - Connor, the two Scott's and Tom grow more comfortable in their play as the morning progresses. We could have had a few more but the sticky conditions underfoot and the dew don't help at times - but in the end a win that cements a Super Six spot is given the excellent fund raising efforts of the night before a good weekend for the team.

Player of the Day; Nathaniel, tireless effort supporting the front runners and creating space wide on our right.

Miramar 0 Stop Out 2 (0:0) Lachy 2

It's been a while since we played, trained even  - but the team is very keen and mindful of the challenge Miramar present. Right from the word go we are on the front foot in a battle, Kelsey sets the tone for the morning with an industrious opening quarter of an hour knocking larger boys off their game.

The pitch is a little heavy and the grass a little long which hinders both teams play at times, but we can't complain too much after all the weather of late. We can't quite turn our dominance into opportunities, Cameron is industrious on the left with Connor and Kelsey in support and when they break up the field Miramar find Davey in brave form in goal. We head into the break at 0:0 and affirm the need to keep supporting each other and keeping our focus.

We're ahead immediately after the restart, a fabulous run to the line and delivery by Alex into the path of Lachy to stab home. The next 20-25 minutes is a battle, we are winning the 50-50's and making chances but nothing will quite stick and make the game safe.

Out wide the support play of Scott Oldham stands out, and when Scott E pulls up lame Alex switches to sweeper with quiet applomb. Keelan has a sterling game, wrapping up their danger man who never fires a shot in anger and further illustrates why we can't understand his absence from Federation squads.

Harrison, Jimmy, Nathaniel and Lachy toil in the engine room where boots, knees and elbows are a fact of life - outpointing their larger opponents repeatedly. With just a few minutes to go we break and Greg lays a delightful ball into Lachy who fires our second into the corner of the net. Job done - game over.

Most pleasing aspect of the morning is the team unity, despite the vigorous nature of the match every player keeps their cool and knuckles down to the task at hand. Well played all - a great start to the weekend.

Player of the Day - Kelsey, strength at the back and continued involvement in support play.

Stop Out 10 Levin 0 (6:0) Alex 5, Greg, Keelan, Lachy 3

All we asked of the team was a sharp start, not to take this match for granted and "wait" for something to happen. Three cracking goals in the first three minutes - couldn't ask for more, no complaints from the sideline and game over.

The rest of the game was about maintaining focus and shape, and setting team goals for the rest of the game. The packed defence of Levin made the going tough at times, a sea of legs and bodies to be negotiated every time we attacked.

At the back we played aka Ricki Herbert with just 3, but then upped Ricki when we reduced that to just two. Out wide on the right Connor and Harrison toiled well to get behind the defence and deliver the ball into the box.

Alex with 5 goals took his chances well, putting himself about in the perpetually crowded box. Jimmy & Lachy ran themselves ragged probing and supporting our play - the latter finding time for a well taken hat trick by the end of the game.

Player of the day - Alex, well taken chances.

Wellington College 1 Stop Out 0 (1:0)

The honour of the first game on the new turf, Te Whaea, for a table topping clash against Coll'.

Perhaps it's the occassion, perhaps it's the change of surface but we struggle to impose ourselves on the opposition. They're keen for the match & we're at times a step off the pace or rushed in our pass.

We survive a couple of close calls at the back - & squander a couple of chances up front that costs us just before the break when Coll' get a soft goal to take the lead.

The second half is pure frustration, with a dollop of anxiety & a spoonful of agony as we play some much better football.

The midfield gain some equality in exchanges and well built up chances are constructed - but unfortunately on all occassions just won't hit the target. We defend with enthusiasm, scrambling when need be but today there is no magic moment, no ounce of good fortune & so we are beaten on the scoreboard - but not in the battle.

There's still a lot of this season to go & we look forward to the return of Coll' in the Super 6's.

Player of the Day - a sterling defensive effort from Keelan.

Stop Out 3 Lower Hutt 3 (1:0) : Lachy 2, Cameron 

A thriller for the paying fans - and those that get in free! The coach was away - but gets a txt at the half we're good value for a 1-0 lead. The txts get frantic in the second half - as twice LH take the lead, the game played with intensity usually associated with FA Cup & World Cup finals - - - before we grab an equaliser, a direct free kick that Beckham would be proud of .... if he had a left foot like our Lachy.

Player of the Day, an electric performance out wide from Greg.

Tawa 0 Stop Out 3 (0-2) : Nathaniel, Cameron & Lachy

We're keen for a sharper start this week - and we get it - across the park players win the first tackle, the first challenge - & we get some early domination in play. Unfortunately the last touch, pass, shot or cross isn't quite on target and we're past the 20 minute mark before our superiority is rewarded. That's not to say we had it all our own way - Tawa are no mugs, they boast 9 players with Federation experience - & the midfield is a battlefield, while out wide there's some guile and pace we struggle with at times. It takes two wonder saves by Davey to ensure we lead by virtue of a well taken first goal at this level by Nathaniel. The usual changes after a third of the game allow us to tidy our play - coaching tips refreshed in the minds of fresh legs. We dominate play moreso now - Scott E & Keelan staunch in the heart of defence with able support by Scott O and Kelsey. We double the advantage when tireless Cameron gets some reward - his snap shot too hot for the GK to even react to before it's in the back of the net.

We're a little slow out of the blocks in the second half - but Tawa continue to fluff their lines in front of goal & we get back on top. Rolling subs sent out with fresh messages & an understanding of play ensure we get back on top - we don't miss a beat across the park. Harrison slips into right back and quells Tawa's play down that flank - ablely supported by Tom in front of him. Lachy with the ball at his feet leaves a trail of would be tacklers behind him before cracking home our third from 30 yards - and the contest is over - Tawa have no reply. The last 15 minutes sees us threaten to double the score - but to no avail despite the tireless endeavours of Connor, Alex & Jimmy. It's great to see both flank fullbacks involved in attacking play - Harrison and Kelsey regularly up in the front third of the pitch.

For a very good knock at the back - reading danger & as always tireleslly devoted to the team cause our Player of the Day is Scott Ellis (narrowly beating out Davey & his string of fine saves). 

Stop Out 8 KCU 1 (1-1) : Greg (2) Keelan Lachy Connor Harrison Jimmy & Alex

It's a picture erfect morning at the park - a good crowd gathers to watch the team begin thei 2010 campaign with a visit from KCU (who beat us here 1-2 last winter). All seems to be going well - everyone's keen & topped up with jet planes - - & then KCU go & score in the first minute - - which wasn't part of the plan.

A rude awakening but we repsond with vigour - there'ss still 69 minutes to go, plenty of time to get into this game. We're competitive and making breaks and startin to make chances - though for 20 minutes we make it tough on ourselves by not getting the ball on the deck quickly enough & by rushing our play. We threaten at set pieces - and their GK & defenders scramble & clear everything we can toss at them. After 25 minutes we finally get our reward  - a well taken goal by Connor, who is quickest ro react to a half chance from 10 yards. We play out the rest of the half on the hunt for a second - & KCU haven't troubled our well marshalled defence since their early goal.

The coach resists the urge for a rant - the seeds for a better second half have been sown by some smarter play in the last 10 minutes of the half. The players rip into the second half with gusto, & within 10 minutes we have put the result to bed. Firstly there's a superb 30 yard strike from Keelan that gives us the lead and then Greg steals in at a corner to nod home. Lachy is given space in front of the box and fires home with his trusty left for our fourth. We do take the foot off the pedal for the next while - but a gee up from the sideline restores order with a few changes. Once again the good crowd break into a chorus of "we're playing all the football" as Jimmy gets on the sheet with a curled corner & Harrison is teed up for a smart finish after excellent passing around in the front 30 yards. From the flanks we continue to harangue KCU - and we finish with two assist from Jimmy as Greg and then Alex add to the score. The latter started by a inch perfect ball across the pitch by Lachy into the path of Jimmy.

A dispirited KCU wonder why they couldn't stop the game after 1 minute and our team is glad to have played well & not repeated 2009's opening day hiccup. For a very good all round performance combining skill, fabulously timed running and two sharp finishes Greg is our player of the day.  

The JPL team for 2010 is;

Lachlan Waugh, Keelan McEvoy, James Marsh, David Silcock, Tom Simpson, Scott Ellis, Scott Oldham, Connor Scott, Greg Evans, Cameron Martin, Kelsey O'Connor, Harrison Dean, Nathaniel Stewart & Alex McDonald. Coaches are Gavin Scott & Brendan Marsh.

The JPL Promo team for 2010 is;

Morgan Laing, Andrej Radosavjlevic, Henry Valentine, Jordan Musgrave, Todd Whitaker, Lloyd Mataiti, Kieran Whitfield, Michael Franklin, Nicola Bowden, Catherine Fussell, James Cope, Amelia Stewart, Umaiyan Haran & Karan Gandhi.