26 WEDNESDAY 14 December 2011
Sport
Captain Panzer heading to final Phillip Rollo If Canterbury United wins the ASB Youth League final this weekend, Erik Panzer will be the first person to hold aloft the trophy. The Garin College leaver will lead Canterbury United against Waitakere United in Auckland on Saturday, following a 9-8 win on penalties against Auckland City in the semi-final. Erik scored one of the penalties and was the center of a controversial penalty decision in regular time. The referee deemed he was fouled in the box during a corner kick, resulting in a 3-all equaliser. The finals berth comes eight weeks after a shock 0-2 opening round loss to YoungHeart Manawatu, Erik says the team has come on
leaps and bounds in the space of two months. “We’ve been playing a lot more as a team now instead of being so individualised,” he says. Erik has only been able to spend brief stints down in Christchurch training with the team, due to school, but he still makes his voice heard on the pitch. This will be the first time the team faces Waitakere this season, but it is the fourth time in five years that the two sides have met in the ASB Youth League final. Erik says finals football is a different kettle of fish to a regular league fixture, and that could play in Canterbury’s favour away from home. “Whatever happens on the day happens. I’m sure our team will be absolutely pumped for it. We know what we need to do to win.”
The captains, Dean Lausev, of Auckland, and Erik Panzer, of Canterbury, shake prior to the toss at the ASB Youth League semi-final at Kiwitea St, Auckland. Canterbury won the match and will play in the final this weekend against Waitakere. Photo: Shane Wenzlick/www.phototek.co.nz.
Rabbits squad gathers pace The latest Tasman Rugby League franchise has based itself in Richmond and it’s on the lookout for some local blood to join the Rabbit hunt. The Richmond Rabbits have already had three pre-season trainings, the latest on Monday night at Ben Cooper Park, and despite already building the foundation of a core group of players, chairman Ryan Charles is putting the call out for some Richmond residents to give the team a more local feel. “We’ve always had a group of about 13, 14. But we want a squad of around 20. This is a Richmond-based club so we’re really hoping to see some local guys turn up in the next few weeks,” says Ryan. Ryan says a team culture has quickly been established. “We’re trying to build a club of guys that enjoy playing but also enjoy the social aspect. We want it to be a real family culture.” RABBIT RUN: Yane Teinakore runs a play at the Richmond Rabbits training A large rugby contingent has now been able to play their preferred code, thanks to the TRL. at Ben Cooper Park on Monday night. Photo: Phillip Rollo.
The club has been boosted this week by the addition of Nelson based supplement store, Powerhouse Supplements, as a sponsor for 2012. Ryan says the TRL was in a good position and is clearly increasing in popularity, exposure and skill. “TRL have had a really successful year. Now these guys have a pathway with the [Tasman] Titans, that is a bit of a carrot. I’m hoping half of this team will be playing for the Titans at the end of the year.” The side is looking to be based at Ben Cooper Park or alternatively at the Avery. The rest of 2011 will be spent continuing skills trainings, establishing positions and teaching some of the players the basic skills of rugby league. Anyone interested in joining the team can visit the Richmond Rabbits Rugby League Club Facebook page or you can contact Ryan on 021 0264 6592
Stockcars battle hard on the coast
Ash Kelly was Nelson’s best finisher at the South Island Stockcar Championship at Greenstone Park Speedway on the Westcoast over the weekend. Three Nelson drivers made the trip south. Ash finished 13th in race one and 16th in race two, although an impressive final race, where Ash finished fourth, saw the 16nz driver into the top six. Ben Taylor was the next best Nelson driver, finishing ninth ROUGH AND TUMBLE: Nelson stockcar drive Ash Kelly, left, gets tangled in the wall with Chris Baxter in Greymouth. Photo: Blair Hall/ place, while the 199n Trevor Kineham ended 15th. Photoaction.