August 29th

August 22nd

Up to Benburn – a tough as teak surface with a cricket block in the middle – not ideal for either team to play the ball on the deck. The last round of Super Six is effectively a semi final and nerves are jangling as play gets underway. 

We start well, with some searching attacks down the right inspired by Dan and Spike that unfortunately we can’t capitalise on – shame, as it might have helped to settle the play and my nerves. In the middle of the park Jimmy and Lachy, supported by Alex appear to be getting the better of their illustrious, feted opponents – but it’s typical semi final football -  a bit too fast, a bit too furious and we’re grateful that Scott E and Tom are well organised at the back.

It’s a warm morning and the half time whistle is welcomed as a chance to recharge the batteries and toss some pointers at the boys. 

The second half remains a real dogfight, neither team really getting an upper hand at all – Spike up front is battling hard, tackling back to support the midfield and he ultimately gets our reward after a superb run up the left hand side as Scott O comes forward with the ball at his feet. Scott’s perfect run ends with a well placed cross that a patient Spike puts away with aplomb and we lead 1-0. 

There’s still 15 minutes to get through – and the last quarter of the game is all hands on deck, shoulder to shoulder defence with Harrison, Jimmy and Alex in the thick of it flinging bodies and legs at all manner of shots and crosses – again, our opposition find Davey in fine form in goal for which we’re grateful. There’s the odd chance up the other end of the paddock, Cam’ and Greg trying to ensure width in our attack but the nerves are burnt and frazzled by defending a dozen or more corners as Karori pour forward on all out attack. The defence of Connor, Antonio and Scott O earn their keep and kudo’s for helping keep Karori scoreless as we see out the game to the good by just the solitary goal. 

August 15th 

August 8th/9th

A double header weekend starts with a home match against Tawa - who it seems are a bit of a Jeykell 'n' Hide team & are upbeat after a strong win the previous weekend. The boys are keen though to push on from last weeks opening win and have a good weekend.

Right from the word go the intention is football played along the deck, play down the right flank threatening the most with Dan's speed and effort to the fore - though the chances won't go in or quite fall despite the energy of Spike & Lachy. Harrison drops into the middle of the park for an injured Jimmy and is busy from the word go - with Scott E strong in a holding role. The passing play of the boys finally brings reward as Lachy with sterling service from Cameron van Greuning out wide puts away two chances before half time is blown.

The second half is more of the same - chances at regular intervals but we can only had a superb Spike header (off a corner) to the tally. At the back things are kept tight, and with the match safe it's pleasing to see Antonio, Scott O, Connor and Keelan coming forward in support of our attacking play. We see out the match 3-0 to the good after an hour of some of the boys best play all winter - against an opponent that probably never wants to see us again this winter. Player of the Day performances from Cameron van Greuning and Dan to recognise amongst a fabulous team effort.

On Sunday we are out in Whitby to take on JPL winners, Wests. It's a fabulous contest, with both midfields fall of skill and guile and neither team taking a step backward in a bustling first period. We're good value for the opening goal - again Spike's head is the final touch after sterling endeavour from Keelan supporting an attack. There's plenty of speed and guile in the Wests attack and they are a constant threat - unfortunately we cough up a penalty and it's all even at the break, 1-1.

In the second half we improve despite playing uphill, the pace of the game remains fierce and Lachy and Scott Ellis feature strongly as we go looking for the winner. At the other end of the park the pace of the game takes it's toll but we're grateful for Davey having a top drawer performance in goal - with a number of good saves and tidy work in front of the toil of Tom, Connor et al. We could have - maybe should have grabbed a goal or two from chances but we can't find the net and when Wests blow an open goal late in the game we decide a share of the spoils is a great outcome from another very good performance against the top team in JPL this winter. Player of the day performances from Davey and Connor (who subdued every speedy Gonzales that Wests threw his way).

Stop Out 3 Tawa 0 (2-0) - Lachy 2, Cameron M

Wests 1 Stop Out 1 (1-1) - Cameron M

August 1st

Super Sixes start - and for the team it's an away game at Hutt Park against Onslow. Perfect conditions underfoot and overhead as we tackle the tough, uncompromising opponents with whom we shared the points in a blustery match in the regular season.

The game is right from the word go a good battle, neither team taking a step back but we feel we've settled into our work well and Lachy and Scott E are strong in the middle of the park. Out wide Dan and Greg provide us with encouraging width and so it's with some disappointment we are behind when pressured at a defensive corner. It's early in the game though and there's no panic amongst the team, in fact their response is to take their play up a notch, playing the game on the front foot and it's in contrast to an Onslow team who start to take a pace back and allow Connor and Keelan to impose themselves in support of our play in the middle third. Once again though it's our pace up front that brings us opportunity, and there's reward for Greg when he is first to respond to a spilled ball in the goal box - so we're level at the break and in good heart.

The second half is a continued improvement on the first - as if that was possible - Cameron Van Greuning full of speed and endeavour on the right flank, while Greg, Dan and Scott O offer us attacking opportunity down the left. In the middle of the park Jimmy and Harrison are patient in their play, stroking the ball around in support of the irrepressible Lachy and Cameron (Spike) in the striker's spot. At the back Onslow cause us some concern with a series of corners but Tom and later Scott are organising the defensive troops well. Davey assured in his handling of the pressure that comes his way. Play on the right starts to involve the "somewhat psychic" understanding of Antonio and Keelan and they cooly handle any Onslow threat on that side of the park. Time though is running out, shots haven't gone in and it looks like we might be forced to settle for a draw until Jimmy beats the offside trap and heads for the goal, he draws the defence and slips the ball into the path of a sliding Spike for the winner with just minutes left on the clock. For a pleasing change it's our turn to snaffle a late goal and a result after coughing up a couple of results earlier in the season. For the start of the intense Super Sixes it's a bright start - and again it's pleasing that it's a team effort with all players involved in some way.

Onslow 1 Stop Out 2 (1-1) - Greg, Cameron M

July 26th

At last a game – it’s been a while! We head to a very soft Wilton Park on a fine morning – looking for a result to tidy up qualification for the Super Sixes. The chance for players to try a few new positions appeals though – especially after several weeks of training very well. 

After a start that almost saw us behind after 20 seconds we are the better team over the next 20 minutes or so, especially going forward. Greg and Jimmy cut a path up the right flank on a number of occasions – though the final pass or shot is astray and we have no early reward. In the middle of the park it’s a dogged battle with the tall timber of the Karori team and in difficult conditions we hold our own - just – and when required the back four lead by Harrison are tidy in their play, Keelan revelling in the nature of the battle. Though this isn’t all trench warfare, and there’s a fabulous pitch length run by Keelan to savour and Scott O is up supporting attacks on a number of occasions to help us keep momentum in our play. Up front Tom keeps the Karori defence honest, and his work is allowing at times space for Dan, Lachy and Cameron to run into to exploit. We’d talked about shooting from outside the box given the conditions, and it’s just reward for all his toil that Scott E gets on the scoresheet from 30 yards when his low hard strike causes confusion amongst the Karori defenders and keeper. We looked likely to take this lead into the half but some flat footed defending at a free kick allows Karori back into the game before the half is up. 

In the second half the midfield slowly exert dominance over their tiring counterparts, while up front Alex revels in the opportunity and has the Karori defence struggling with his presence on the ball and his ability to slip a pass to a supporting player. Our second goal comes from a cracking Jimmy strike that the keeper can’t hold and Alex slots home from a couple of yards. At the back Scott E and Keelan grow in confidence, behind them Davey is faultless in all he does and the highlight is the boys ability to utilise the pass back as a release when pressure is put upon them. At the other end Lachy and Jimmy are getting more space now and an attack through the middle of the park sees Alex time his involvement perfectly to delightfully chip the keeper from 12 yards and make the game secure. Down the right in the shade there’s Antonio getting himself forward to savour, supporting the attacking play of Cameron and Lachy, though Karori refuse to lie down and roll over. On the left there’s some great passing play at times from Greg, Tom and Connor as the pace of the game refuses to slow and we attempt to switch play to the greener patches on each flank at every available moment. The final act of the game is a delightful jink and step past a couple of defenders by Alex that finishes with him teasing their keeper as he flicked the ball past him from a fine angle to complete his hat trick.

June 20th

Another blustery day at Hutt Park - and we host Kapiti, keen for a result that will guarantee Super Six playoffs. We have the wind behind us for the first half and for the first 15 minutes have the better of play - we're one goal to the good thanks to a cracking strike from 30+ yards by Scott O, and Jimmy has skimmed the bar and a couple of other attempts have just squeezed wide or been well saved by their keeper.

Unfortunately some anxiety creeps into our play, we forget to play to feet and the wind does the rest disrupting play and any attempts at continuity. Lachy is tigerish in his play - Harrison & Tom steady at the back - but we fall into a bit of a funk when we try to attack, loose balls cleaned up by some very good play by their defence. So at the half we're stating the obvious when we talk about being faced with a real battle to get something from the game.

For a time we make inroads against the wind, but it's always a tough battle - and Kapiti are a physical team who are rising to the occasion, they're more desperate than we are for the points and it shows at times. The defence battles hard and shuts down the flanks - Antonio and Scott O staunch in their work - but Kapiti nip through the middle and sneak a deserved equaliser about 10 from the end. They keep up the pressure and we crack in the final minute - unable to kep out a wicked corner.

It's a cruel time to concede & no way back - a team of disappointed lads trudge off, they all vow to do better next week and the chance for a Super Six place is still ours for the taking at Karori.

Stop Out 1 Kapiti 2 (1-0) - Scott O

June 6th

A day up the coast - we head to Levin, a superb venue and a dry pitch which we look forward to. Late change sees Jimmy drafted back into the team....where's Wally ? where's Alex ? - is the call around the park.

We start impressively, Cameron vG tears down the right - to the by line and his searching cross is turned in by a Levin player, we have the lead within 60 seconds. We continue to play at pace and with width - down the left there's a power of work put in by Dan, with support from Connor and Spike - but for the next 20 minutes the ball goes anywhere but in the net. We hit the woodwork several times - while other chances go antagonisingly close, including a rocket from Cameron vG & a delightful left footed chip from James. Unfortunately, between the posts, crossbar, their keeper and defenders on the line we have to settle for a well drilled Scott Ellis shot just before the half to double the score at the break. Our play shows a tendency to play the ball back into the traffic & lacks some width and patience at times but a quiet chat at half time focuses the lads on how to combat a determined Levin who have a strong and speedy midfield and defence battling for a break.

Levin could've and should've pegged one back from the restart but don't & so the second half unfolds as a repeat of the first. Plenty of Stop Out possession though we can't get the ball in the back of the net. What's pleasing though is the improved work at the back as Harrison marhsalls the defence - with Greg, Tom and Antonio smart in their play going forward. They look for the wide players and play the ball to feet, which means we repeatedly cut up the flanks with Cameron vG, Dan and Jimmy making breaks. It's Lachy though who gets ours and his just rewards, he bags a double of well taken goals that breaks the hearts of the local supporters and opens up the game for a couple of well taken late strikes from Jimmy and Scott O. At the back we're sound and Davey impresses with his all round play - especially at set pieces and coming out off his line.

A strong finish by the team and a good result, we could've scored more but the play was for the most part exciting to watch as the boys looked to play wide and at pace on a very warm morning. Levin toiled hard and while they often dropped 9 or 10 behind the ball they defended with strength which meant the boys worked hard for their win. Player of the day performances from Lachy & Cameron vG - but pleasing to see most of the boys looking to play the ball around and support each other across the park.

Levin 0 Stop Out 6 (0-2) - Lachy 2, James, Scott E, Scott O & own goal.

May 30th

The team heads to Awakairangi expecting another hard fought battle with rivals and school mates from Upper Hutt - who are buoyed by their draw with table topping Miramar last week.

Right from the word go we have the better of exchanges, with Dan and Jimmy giving us much needed width in attack as the boys look to stretch a tightly packed orange and black midfield and defence. Today though we don’t have our shooting boots on, a combination of the slick surface and some poor option taking meaning we don’t capitalise on our dominance. There’s the odd sojourn on attack from Upper Hutt, but our defence is steady, especially Alex who is having another strong game. The latter period of the half sees us relentlessly bang away on attack but despite some tantalisingly close calls, especially at set pieces, we head to the half still tied 0-0.

The second half threatens to be a repeat of the first, the midfield dominates but the finishing and choices in the front third are often poor. Despite being tidy in all our defensive work we are guilty of playing back into their packed midfield and closing down our own space too often. This encourages the home crowd to think that they could steal this game on a break. The good news is the guys have other ideas, there’s no faulting their commitment and desire as they try to get a goal.

Greg gets free on the right on several occasions, and Cameron van Greuning goes agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with a shot at the far post. Keelan begins to gets forward to shake up the Upper Hutt midfield, while behind him Antonio, Scott Ellis and Connor subdue any attack well before it gets even remotely close to Dave in goal. Scott O returns to the game up front and imposes himself on a tiring Upper Hutt defence, but still the ball won’t go in despite Jimmy carving up their right flank. Tom makes a cameo appearance in the midfield and is instrumental in teeing up more width in our play which combined with the toil of Lachy and Cameron in the midfield finally pays dividend though with less than 10 left on the clock.

Lachy gets wide on the left and delivers a pinpoint cross for Jimmy to tuck home near the back post – an overdue but deserved reward. The final minutes play out without incident, and after some of the mixed results across this grade we’ll take the 3 points and move on to the next assignment. A gripping encounter for both sets of supporters, with plenty of passion on display from both teams throughout the 60 minutes of hard but fair play.

Upper Hutt 0 Stop Out 1 (0-0) - James

23 May

Wild and windy weather as we host Onslow at Hutt Park. Onslow boast a strong team that includes a number of familiar rep & fed faces in their line-up.

The goals are pegged down and we have the wind at our backs for the first half.

We struggle to dictate play, perhaps too conscious of the need to score goals in the first 30 minutes, and also it has to be said finding it hard to bring the ball under control despite the wind at our backs. The wind is so strong that remaining vertical and changing direction when running or passing is a real challenge. There's good play in patches and our urgency in the latter stages of the half is pleasing, however, we only have a well taken goal by Dan to our credit - and a number of near misses that include a couple of superb reflex saves from their keeper - at half time. Just maybe Onslow will find it as difficult to play the ball around with the trailing zephyr.

In fact, that's how it plays out. The team work is top drawer & the physical battle intensifies as Onslow get frustrated time and time again. The work of Keelan and Scott E is superb as they refuse to allow anyone pass, and in front of them Lachy, Jimmy & Spike are tireless throwing their bodies in the way of passes and shots. Onslow are restricted to long distance shots and despite the tail wind, accuracy in the rough weather is hard to attain.

Across the park we try to keep the ball on the ground and eat up time with some possession - it's easier said than done - but the effort is outstanding from all, Alex & Tom working hard and Antonio using his guile and skill in front of him. Dan hops up front and gets through a ton of work tracking their defensive players coming forward, while Cameron, Greg, Scott O & Harrison battle away against the green shirted tide. Davey in goal is his unflappable self, parrying & blocking all that is rifled his direction until a cruel twist of fate that sees Onslow score with a wind assisted deflection with only a minute to go on the clock.

Disappointing to concede a draw so late in the game, but the endeavour and spirit of the team was worth the morning out in the cold - and given we stole 3 points late last week, we can't be too upset. I'll also concede that at the half I would've settled for the draw as we knew we needed to have scored more in the first 30. By the end of the day there's been some upsets and strange weather assisted results in our grade - so we savour the point with a smile. The player of the day awards for pure grit and steadfast determination, Keelan and Scott E.

Stop Out 1 Onslow 1, (1-0) - Dan

16th May

We travel to a fabulous Endeavour Park on a blustery cool morning - the pitch is in superb nick and should suit two teams keen to play some football. Wests are unbeaten and we're hungry to grab some points. We are on the front foot for the opening exchanges, dominating the first 15 minutes but also unable to really threaten the Wests goal with a clear chance. The pace of the game is frenetic and despite the perfect surface it's fair to say there's a few too many balls tossed in the air to try to take advantage of the tail wind. Greg and Lachy see half chances cleared by a scrambling defence and slowly Wests get themselves into the game. After a couple of close calls our defence is caught flat and despite Davey's best efforts Wests take a 1-0 lead into the break. The pace of the game taking it's toll and we reshuffle a few positions to let people catch a breath.

The second half is more of the same - Wests make the same mistake as ourselves and try a little Route 1 football a little too often and we thank their coaching staff for their honesty calling a close offside which could've put the game beyond reach. The game wears on and just when it looks like it's not going to be our day Dan steals possession off their defence in the front third, slips a delightful ball across the goal for Lachy to tuck in the equaliser. The work rate of our middle five is generally outstanding - and while not everything goes right they continue to apply pressure on their much vaunted opponents. All match the Wests defence has had our measure at set pieces, but with just a couple of minutes left on the clock Keelan shakes off his marker to nod a Jimmy corner home - we have the lead, 2-1. There's still time for Wests to throw a couple of long shots at Davey - and a couple of their corners fly across without being touched - the final whistle is welcome relief for players, coach and parents alike.

A fabulous contest, hard but sporting play from both teams - some sterling work from the midfield with Keelan, Greg & Scott E tireless in defence - in front of Davey in good form. We can still improve our tightness on defence but the endeavour to get forward and outscore our opposition is apparent & exciting to watch. Could've slipped the player of day awards to any number of the team but this week we salute sterling efforts from Dan & Spike.

Western Suburbs 1 Stop Out 2 (1-0) - Lachy, Keelan.

May 2nd

The team welcome Tawa to TeWhiti on a fine morning - perfect football weather. We start brightly, with play down the flanks looking promising - however, a blooper at the back sees Tawa take a very, very shortlived lead. We regroup and a little route one football sees us equalise within a minute. After that there's no stopping the surge of red shirts going forward - Scott Oldham has a well taken hat trick within 20 minutes and Cameron gets his head on a free kick to make it 4-1 at the break. The midfield of 5 working well, there's always someone free to add width or support Scott up front.

Any thoughts of a Tawa comeback are snuffed out early in the second spell, there's goals for Lachy and Dan to extend the margin - and a superb header at a corner from Greg. Jimmy glides around the packed defence twice to heap further grief on the opposition. At the back there's a solid performance from Alex to enthuse over - and Tom and Harrison both manage to sneak a look upfield for a crack or two at goal. Dan, Cameron and Greg use their pace out wide to stretch the Tawa defence while Lachy, Spike & Jimmy never take their foot off the pedal as they work intelligently together and set the platform for a staggering result against an opposition we have enjoyed many tight tussles with in the past.

Stop Out 9 Tawa 2 (4-1) - Scott O 3, Jimmy 2, Dan, Lachy, Greg & Cameron M

April 26th

Local derby - Lower Hutt at Fraser, a mouth watering prospect on a wet Sunday morning.

It's uphill into the wind in the first half - and LH make use of the conditions, as we work hard to contain their play. We make some useful forays down the left with Lachy and Antonio playing well together - but the chances just won't fall for Scott or Cameron upfront. Despite our toil LH score twice before the half time whistle, we're guilty of not being tight enough at times.

We dominate play after the break - and with an ounce of luck could have had more to show for our efforts. Cameron van Gruening goes so close - twice - but it's a fabulous Lachy header at a corner that's all we have to show for our efforts. Somewhat against the run of play LH score a well taken goal and time runs out for a comeback despite the toil and efforts of all. In what's going to be a very tight league we've unfortunately lost two dogfights - bring on next week. Special mention to Antonio and Harrison who have strong games at the back - while Keelan battles through the pain barrier & Jimmy plays through the vomit barrier in the middle of the park.

From the sideline the game was a good spectacle, fiercely but fairly contested - but we could've helped ourselves by getting the ball on the deck quicker & were punished when we hung off our opponents.

Lower Hutt 3 Stop Out 1 (2-0) - Lachy

April 4th

We started very well, attacking play coming down the left flank and after 10 minutes had Lachy stick away one of our chances for an early lead. Unfortunately this spurred our opponents into life and they played with good enterprise down their left flank. Our defence struggled to cope with the strength and speed of the Miramar attack and their reward before half time was two penalties – and while it’s a tough way to concede goals – there could be no compliant that our opposition deserved their lead. Our work in the middle of the park was lacking in purpose and failed to combat the aggression of Miramar.

The second half turned into a real dog fight and for a morning of toil Jimmy got some reward with an equaliser that tied up an even affair as we spent some time on attack. However, a number of corners and opportunities could not be converted and once again poor work in the middle of the park saw our defence prised open for Miramar to snatch a third goal on a breakaway. The last few minutes ticked away and into the wind tired legs struggled to make any impact.

A disappointing start, though Miramar are a good team and this is a very even JPL with 8 of the 10 teams able to foot it with each other. Now we get a chance next weekend at Kapiti Tournament to shake out some bugs and have a good day out as a team.

Stop Out 2 Miramar 3 (1-2)

Scorers; Lachy & James.

The following teams have been selected after trials last weekend;

JPL: James MARSH, Antonio RITOSSA, Lachy WAUGH, Keelan MCEVOY, Connor SCOTT. David SILCOCK, Greg EVANS, Tom SIMPSON, Scott ELLIS, Scott OLDHAM, Cameron MARTIN, Cameron VAN GREUNING, Daniel BINNS, Alex MCDONALD, Harrison DEAN. Coaches; Brendan Marsh (ph 5894600) & Gavin Scott

JPL Promo: Morgan LAING, Umaiyan HARAN, Nathaniel STEWART, Michael FRANKLIN, Dayne TANGATATAI, Jarred TANGATATAI, James HAVLER, Andrej RADOSAVLJEVIC, Josh ARKWRIGHT, Todd WHITAKER, Kieran WHITFIELD, Jordan MUSGRAVE, James COPE, Karan GHANDI, Henry VALENTINE-RAMSDEN. Coach; Ian Laing (ph 5899988)

13th McCreadie: Nathan CROUDIS, Aden DURNEY, Jordan EWART, Timothy FRASER, Logan JEFFRIES, Steven KERR, Jakob LAING, Lloyd MATAITI, Caleb MURPHY, Sean PYE, Joseph SCHUCHMANN, Gareth TELFER, Sam TROLOVE, Bjorn VAN BEUSEKOM, Nathan WEATHERHEAD & Thomas WILLIAMS. Coach; Ron Kerr (ph 589 0160)