Paekakariki Harlequins v MUFC

A successful penalty with the final kick of the game by Mike Urlich wasn't enough to give MUFC a share of the points in this entertaining match.
MUFC entered the game with a depleted squad and injuries being carried by key players. This should not detract from the way Paekakariki attacked from the opening whistle. Playing into the wind, most of the early attacking was by the Harlequins. They turned possession into an early lead following a corner that the Manakau defence failed to clear.
MUFC started to settle and played some tidy football. The midfield again holding strong on a difficult surface. Playing in the unusual position, up front, Willie West came close to scoring with a ferocious drive. Paekakariki held out until half time.
Half time brought changes to the Manakau outfit. Ben McHugo donned the goalkeepers jersey and Jamie Allcock returned to the outfield. Within a few minutes of the restart Manuka had leveled courtesy of a well taken goal by Cam. Mike Urlich took the ball into the Harlequins area where he was tackled but only for the ball to fall at Cams feet who calmly slotted it past the advancing keeper. More pressure from Manakau called the Paekakariki keeper into action, making a couple of fine saves following attacking football by the vistors.
Chasing the game left Manakau suspect to the break and Paekakariki managed to exploit this for their second goal. A third followed a corner and the points looked secure for the Harlequins. MUFC showed spirit and were awarded a penalty late in the game which was succesfully converted by Mike Urlich. However, it was not to be Manakaus day and the home crowd cheered as the final whistle blew at Campbell Park. Paekakariki 3, Manakau 2.