Heading into the latest round of Loaded WaiBOP Premiership matches, Papamoa, Melville United and West Hamilton United sat joint top after two wins from two games. On Saturday they all dropped points as teams from lower down the table started to make their mark.

Papamoa and Melville were both held to away draws, while West Hamilton lost at home to not only suffer their first loss of 2018 but also cough up the Federation Challenge Shield.

The match at Fergusson Park between Otumoetai and Papamoa finished goalless as the hosts dug in to secure their first point of the season. The first couple of games could not have been more stark for these two sides, but the extra edge that comes with a derby match helped level the playing field. Otumoetai needed something from the match after two defeats, while a draw at a team that’s favoured to finish in the top half wasn’t the end of the world for Papamoa.

Visiting coach, Duncan Lowry, wasn’t too disappointed with the outcome. “They sat very deep and made it difficult for us, as I expected they would. Ross [Johnson, Otumoetai’s coach] had them well organised and the wind made it pretty tough for everyone. I guess they got what they came for. For us it’s another point gained so I’m happy.”

Melville was held to a 1-1 draw at the Te Awamutu Stadium, with both goals coming in the first half. Joel Roil, for Te Awamutu, and Ben Wallace found the back of the net but the sides couldn’t separate themselves after the break.

The news was worse for West Hamilton. After first up victories over two of 2017’s top sides, they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by Taupo. The visitors were measured in their approach, scoring a goal in each half through Fin Smith and Eli Smith, to not only draw level on points with West Hamilton but also regain the Federation Challenge Shield. The shield is contested in every home game played the holders and now returns to familiar surroundings, with Taupo having been long-time holders in the not so distant past.

Mercury Tokoroa was another side to pick up their second win from three games after a 2-1 win at Hamilton Wanderers. Wanderers were far more competitive than during their opening two outings, but Connor Wood’s double ensured Tokoroa claimed the points in the first match between the two promoted sides. Liam Cooney’s goal was Wanderers’ first of the season.

Tauranga Boys’ College and Tauranga Blue Rovers banked a point apiece after a 1-1 draw in their local derby. Hayden Fowke’s goal had Rovers ahead at the break but Alexander Elliott hit back for the students during the second half. Both sides sit mid-table on four points.

Comag Matamata Swifts and Waikato Unicol are a point behind those two after the Swifts edged home 1-0 in the match between 2017’s second and third placed sides. Brad West’s second half goal was the difference, but both teams hit the woodwork (Unicol once, Matamata twice) in a tense encounter. The victory got Matamata’s season moving while it was Unicol’s second consecutive defeat.

Ngaruawahia remained top of the WaiBOP Championship standing after a 2-0 home win over Taupo’s reserves. Liban Mire and Sean Sullivan struck second half goals to ensure the Green Machine stayed two points clear of Tauranga Blue Rovers reserves, who won 3-2 at Cambridge.

Waikato Unicol reserves bagged their second win of the season and are tucked a point behind Rovers in third. Ash Gower-Rudman’s double helped his team to a 3-2 win at Waharoa Transport Matamata reserves.

In the other game, Otumoetai’s reserves won 3-0 at home over Kawerau Sports thanks to goals from Will Dalton, Matt Price and Frederico Artigas. Bottom side Te Puke United had the bye.

Full details here.

Photo: Bob Ricketts.