Buccaneers still sailing away

Central Buccaneers maintained their lead at the top of the Mayfield Motorworld men’s division one football table with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Rangers Woodbourne at A&P Park on Saturday.

The table-toppers were forced to battle hard for their success, leading by just a single Jono Masters goal at the halftime break. However, they lifted their intensity in the second spell, Masters completing a hat-trick, while

Thom Hall and Joe Bennion added further goals to ensure a comfortable victory. Jonathon Maples scored the match’s final goal to give Woodbourne some consolation.

Buccaneers’ closest rivals, Call Care Trojans, took on Central Wolves at Oliver Park and also came away with a solid victory, prevailing 4-0. A Tomas Lupani goal saw them ahead by just one at the break, before goals to Matthew Largent, then replacements Alejandro Renzi and Ben Mesman wrapped the game up.

The third division one clash was a high-scoring affair, BV Masters getting the better of Picton Wildcats 7-4 at Endeavour Park.

Masters led 4-2 at halftime, Picton closed the gap to 4-3 before late goals to Ben Clarke and a double to Denham Wisdom sealed the away side’s victory.

Division one points: Buccaneers 35, Trojans 31, Masters 24, Wolves 10, Woodbourne 7, Picton 7.

Meanwhile, in division two, Rangers Reserves kept their noses in front of the pack with a 2-0 win over Rangers City, Call Care Spartans and Central Privateers drew 2-2, Trojans Marlb Men lost 1-6 to Call Care Red and Picton Crow Tavern drew 4-4 with Rangers Masters.

Division two points: Rangers Reserves 31, Spartans 28, Rangers City 27, Privateers 20, Call Care Red 12, Picton 11, Rangers Masters 7, Trojans 3.

Meanwhile, there was disappointment for the Rangers AFC side whose Nelson division one rivals Motueka defaulted late in the week, meaning the Blen-

“Lots of athletes in New Zealand are in the same boat. This is the time we should be focussing the most on training but then you have this financial burden hanging over you as well.

“I am brainstorming ideas as to how I can raise some funds but any help would be hugely appreciated.”

Carli, a three-time world taekwondo champion, previously claimed an open world powerlifting championship bronze medal but now, having graduated to the Masters over-40 competition, she is intent on moving further up the podium.

And the mother of a two-year-old boy backs her chances.

“I won the bronze medal in 2017, pre-baby, and this time I am going to win. I am going there to use my ‘Mum strength’ and bring back a medal,” she added with a smile, masking the steely determination that has already taken her so far during a decade in her heim-based side missed out on playing their final match of the season at home.

Now the second-placed side face three away games to close out the season, plus a potential away final in the Price Charity knockout competition.