Hero photograph
 
Photo by Jose Zandbergen

1st XI Girls Football Strike Gold Second Time Around

Craig Hinton —

After making the final for the second year in a row, the Roncalli girls smashed a statement in the first 25 minutes to be crowned South Island Champions in the 2018 Lotto Sportswear Tournament.

During atrocious weather in the aptly named winter tournament week, the Roncalli Girls 1st XI showed tremendous team spirit and reaped the fruits of 3 years of development under Craig Hinton. It was a fitting swansong for 6 members of the team who finished both the season and their final year at the College on a footballing high, smashing the highly fancied and well resourced local favourites, Columba College from Dunedin, in a 4-0 rout.  

An overnight downpour on Sunday evening beginning an hour or so before the managers meeting saw the fields become ponds and mud on the first morning. Due to this the Girls afternoon matches on day one were pushed back until the rest afternoon scheduled for Tuesday. In early games the Girls signalled that last year's finals appearance was no fluke, smashing Menzies 8-1, South Otago 5-1 and Herataunga (Wellington) 5-0, topping their pool.

A recovery session at the pool followed by an evening dinner out together prepared the Girls for knockout play on day three and our first challenge Mt Aspiring.Into a strong wind saw the girls stick to their guns in the first half as they were tested early and aggressive defence keep the sheet clean. The girls started the second half ferociously, netting 2 goals in the first 10 minutes and then looked to control the game and possession setting up a semi-final challenge with a 2-0 win. 

The highly fancied Dunstan brought with them national experience within their squad and they enjoyed a wind advantage in the first half, pinning Roncalli down their end. Whilst the game ebbed and flowed, in a blitzkrieg end to the first half, Roncalli shocked Dunstan with 3 goals before halftime. After calm discussion at half time about the job being half done and defence being the focus the girls got back out there and did exactly that. Strong marking of key opponents and keeping the ball away from the middle of the paddock, the girls held on to their score line. A couple of late saves from the opposition keeper denied demonstrated the attacking mindset of Roncalli right until the end to cement an appearance in the final for the second year in a row. 

Often you here in sporting circles, that it takes the experience of being in a final to win a final. Last year the girls were runners up to a strong team from St Hilda’s and for six of the team it was their last College fixture. Having a proud performance on which to finish was important for everyone involved.

Columba had a strong and fast attack , challenging Roncalli early and always looking threatening as they pushed forward. However, with ninja like surprise, precision and ruthless aggression through an early free kick, our first corner, and a one on one opportunity the girls blew the final wide open, being 3-0 up inside 15-20 minutes. Burying the sword just before half time Roncalli snatched a fourth and went into the break 4-0 up.  Calmness and composure  ran through the half time talk and the girls retained possession and position. Apart from a strong tackle decision being given as a penalty that their key play maker put away around 10 minutes from full time, the result was inevitable.Humble throughout and even at the final whistle congratulating the officials and opposition with great dignity then combining together after the match for a full squad photo with Columba, both teams in smiles.

Tournament was a huge success with Roncalli scoring 27 goals and conceding 2. Ruby Anderson finished one goal off the golden boot award and the team also received the Fair Play Award plus automatic entry into the National Premier Tournament in 2019. Coach Hinton stated that in 30 years of being involved in football (playing, coaching and supporting) it was one of the proudest moments he has shared with any team. For the six Year 13’s finishing it was a fairy-tale swan song for them too. Thank you to the Sapphire Benson, the camp mum and manager, to the parents, family members and friends who came along and supported the team throughout the week and to those who shared wishes of luck and good fortune. It was great to be able to share the team’s success with you all.