Trojans sit on top of table

Call Care Trojans moved to the top of the Marlborough senior men’s division one football table with a 6-1 win over BV Masters on Saturday.

Central Buccaneers, who previously shared first place with Trojans, played their first round Chatham Cup match on Sunday. They took on a powerful Nelson Suburbs side, going down 10-0 after trailing by five at halftime.

Buccaneers will now play a catchup division one match against Picton Wildcats at A&P Park on Wednesday, bidding to quickly reclaim equal top spot.

On Saturday at Athletic Park, Trojans led Masters 2-0 at the break, Alejandro Renzi and Tomas Lupani on the scoresheet.

Two Nathan Mathieson goals gave them a 4-0 advantage before

Ben Clarke pulled one back for Masters. Lupani had the final say however, completing his hat-trick in the final stages.

Meanwhile, Rangers Woodbourne scored their first win of the season at A&P Park.

They downed the struggling Central Wolves combination 4-1, leading 3-0 after half an hour following goals to Jonathon Maples, Karlis Zvagulis and Bridon Arnold.

Hunter Ruffell dragged a goal back soon after halftime, before Zvagulis completed a brace to settle the issue.

In division two action, Rangers City maintained their hold on top spot, downing Trojans Marlb Men 7-0, Ben Burridge scoring a brace.

The highest scoring match of the round was at Oliver Park, where Rangers Reserves held on to defeat Call Care Spartans 5-4.

Rangers led 3-1 at halftime but, with just 12 minutes remaining, Spar tans had levelled at 4-4. It took an 82nd minute goal from Ollie Hunter to give Reserves victory over their higher-placed rivals. Both Hunter and opponent Steve McGinnity registered hat-tricks. In other matches, Picton Crow Tavern drew 1-1 with Call Care Red and Central Privateers beat Rangers Masters 2-1.

Division two points: Rangers City 15, Call Care Spartans 12, Rangers Reserves 10, Central Privateers 10, Picton Crow Tavern 4, Call Care Red 3, Rangers Masters 3, Trojans Marlb Men 0.

Rangers AFC had their Nelson division one game deferred until Tuesday evening at A&P Park, due to their opponents, Nelson FC, having a Chatham Cup match on Saturday. Kick-off is at 7pm.

“Our national masters tournament is massive,” said Jo. “There are over 90 teams that now attend, and it has got to the point that there are only so many places that can host it now due to the facilities required.”

There has been talk of splitting up the tournament into separate age group events, due to the increased numbers, but Jo hopes that does not happen.

“It would take away the tournament feel … it’s about seeing everybody at the same venue. While everyone is very serious and competitive on the field the social side of the masters is still a huge part of the attraction.” fitness, plus partakes in adventure racing, which aids endurance.

“[Being fit] certainly helps with injury prevention … I am probably fitter now than I was when I was playing in my younger years,” she suggested.

It is just as well, with the Trans-Tasman games proving a physical test from the outset.

“The Aussies are always tough,” said Jo, “the first time I got tackled in our first game it felt like a rugby tackle, not a hockey tackle.”

As is the case across many team sports nowadays, Masters tournaments are becoming very popular.

Although having been part of a couple of wins over Australia, Jo has yet to taste a series win, unlike her sister Helen Keast who was part of the over-50 NZ team’s overall victory in Christchurch. Jo’s immediate sights are set on the 2024 World Cup event, to be staged in Auckland, but she knows that, fitness and selection permitting, there will always be opportunities to participate in masters hockey and grab that elusive series win over the Aussies. With women’s over-65 teams, plus men’s over-75 sides, participating in the recent tournament, opportunities abound for hockey longevity, although Jo laughingly suggests, “I’m not sure I will still be running around at that age.”