Stingrays succumb in second half

JO RICHARDS

Golden Bay Stingrays hosted close rivals Motueka last Saturday in a Masters Division clash at the Rec Park. Games between these the two teams are always keenly fought, and the latest encounter was no exception.

The day started well for the Stingrays who had the ball in the back of the net after only three minutes, but the goal was disallowed following an offside ruling.

Two minutes later the visitors took the lead after the referee awarded a penalty but the Stingrays worked their way back into the game and were awarded a spot-kick of their own on the half-hour mark, which Pete van der Meer duly dispatched.

They say teams are most vulnerable just after scoring, and that's what happened to the Stingrays. Three minutes after levelling, the visitors struck and re-took the lead. The home side responded by taking the game to Motueka and, at the end of a classy move, Rob Anderson headed in Luke Concannon's inchperfect cross to restore parity.

Motueka gained ascendancy in the second half, netting twice before Anderson scored a late consolation goal for the home side. Final score: GB Stingrays 3 v Motueka 4. Roland Muntwyler man of the match: Anju Ejima. Earlier in the day, the GB Mountain Goats beat Wakefield 2-0 thanks to goals from Timmy van der Meer and Lee McKenna.

Takaka Rugby Football Club

Motueka High School vs Stoke