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20 — Botany and Ormiston Times, Thursday, May 17, 2018
MACLEANS TAKE THE WIN ❯❯ Page 19
FOOTBALL
Ridenton signs with Jets ■ BY NICK KRAUSE
Openside flanker TJ Meleisea fends off an Otahuhu defender. Photo Brad James
RUGBY
Pak make top 8 Pakuranga United Rugby Club’s (PURC) Premiers have finished in the top eight with two games to play after a convincing performance against Otahuhu at the weekend. PURC, drawn 7-all at half time, kept Otahuhu scoreless in the second half to win 46-7. Coach Premier coach Chad Hopa said his side went away from the game plan in the first half. “A few stern words reiterating our game plan/objectives along with bringing on our heavy hitters off the bench saw us gain control
across the park,” he said. With Otahuhu’s discipline lacking, the yellow cards started to mount and Pakuranga ran out the clear winners. “Whilst happy to secure the win and a top eight spot, we need to learn to trust our systems especially going forward with last year’s Gallaher Shield champions University coming to Bell Park this weekend,” Hopa said. ■ Point Scorers: TJ Meleisea, George Taina, Samuel Shearer, Hawaii Ahokovi, Rupert Van der Pol, Michael McBeath, Penalty Try, Hawaii Ahokovi – 3 Conversions and 1 Penalty. Player of the day – Hawaii Ahokovi.
F
ormer Saint Kentigern College footballer Matthew Ridenton is leaving the Phoenix after signing a two-year contract with last season’s grand final runnerup Newcastle Jets in Australia. The 22-year-old midfielder, whose parents live in Cockle Bay, has played in the All Whites shirt like his father Michael, a former football coach at St Kents. “I’m excited about the opportunity to move overseas to Australia and join the Newcastle Jets after the great season they had and I think it will help me develop as a player,” Ridenton told the Times. “I really enjoyed my five ears at the Wellington Phoenix and made a lot of friends while I was there and wish them all the best for the future,” he said. “My goals for the upcoming season are to work hard to earn my place at the Newcastle Jets and hopefully establish myself in the All
Matthew Ridenton will join the Newcastle Jets this season after a solid career with the Wellington Phoenix. Photo Goal.com
Whites by having strong season at club level.” Ridenton will renew his association with Jets coach Ernie Merrick, under whom he made his A-League debut in the 2013-14 season, the Newcastle Herald said. Ridenton played 72 games for Wellington, including 26 of their 27 games this season. Two of his four career goals
have been scored against Newcastle. “Matthew is an excellent player, and having worked with him during my time at the Phoenix I know the sort of potential he possesses as a player,” Merrick told the Newcastle Herald. “He’s also a great person and character, I have no doubt he’ll fit into the club
and the community really well. “Matt will offer plenty for us in the middle of the park, provides great depth for our squad and I look forward to seeing the contribution he can make over the next two seasons.” Ridenton joins the Jets for the start of pre-season training in June.
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