Matamata Swifts rediscovered their winning way when they took on, and defeated, Waikato Premier League rivals Claudelands Rovers on another sunbaked 2006 pre-season afternoon. The match was played in three periods of varying lengths (45 minutes, 30 minutes and 25 minutes).

The Swifts were initially made to battle hard and, indeed, were behind after the first of the three periods. That they ran away with victory was as much down to the fact they were a little fitter than their opponents, who were playing their first fixture of the pre-season, as it was to the dominance of possession they secured throughout the match.

Matamata, already battle hardened after two tough games, began the match pretty much as they had finished their previous encounter, by swamping their opponents under the sheer weight of possesion they were able to tie up. For all this, however, the Swifts struggled to carve an opening as they seemed content to stroke the ball around while operating in second gear. What they needed was more decisive play in their attacking third of the field.

Claudelands shook Matamata out of their lethargy in the most obvious way possible - they scored the opening goal. From their first real shot of the game, over half an hour after kick-off, one of the Claudelands strikers rose to head the ball home off the underside of the cross bar.

The goal was a real jolt for the Swifts but, in a funny way, was needed in order wake them out of their slumber.

After the first interval the Swifts took less than five minutes to first equalise and then go ahead. Substitute striker, Neil Slater, grabbed both goals with his first, a superb diving header, sticking in the memory. His partner up front, Hayri Cihan, pushed the Swifts further ahead near the second break with a delightful left foot scoop over the Claudelands keeper.

Matamata heaped further grief on their tiring opponents during the final period as they notched a further three goals. Neil Slater completed his hat trick with a great half volley from a Bevan Shelly cross, then Hayri Cihan scuffed home his second after dribbling the ball from one side of the box to the other. Adam Graham completed the scoring after rounding the keeper less than a couple of minutes from the end.

As ever, the Swifts midfield was its strength. Alberto Romero, back near his best, showed some beautiful touches, while captain, Andy Birchenough, and Juan Carlos Rodriguez provided the steel. All three were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

Matamata hope to be back in action again this coming Saturday, but are unlikely to play their scheduled opponents, Ngongotaha, who will be competing in finals day at the Cambridge tournament.

The Swifts reserves will definitely figure as they will be representing the club in the annual Matamata pre-season tournament at the Domain.