This was an important game to the two teams as both sat mid-table on nine points.

The game started at a fast and physical pace with neither team pulling out of challenges. The referee asked the captains to settle down the sides but it may have been easier if he'd just blown the first few challenges as the players will always see what they are going to get away with in the first few minutes.

The game flowed from end to end with neither side capitalising on chances. Joel Chamberlain had a couple of one on one chances that the opposition keeper did well to keep out. It was Matamata who made the first breakthrough with Matt Monteith scoring from a good Mark Darkes knock down.

However Morrinsville equalised shortly after with an excellent strike from 25 metres. Richard Paradizo in goal made a couple of saves worthy of the World Cup to keep the home team in it. Half time 1-1.

The second half continued in much the same pattern. Morrinsville scored their second goal reasonably early on through some good inter passing.

Jamie Cox who had come on for Mark Darkes up front had a couple of chances to equalise but was thwarted by some good goalkeeping. Mike Collins had a torrid game at left back coping with the pace of the winger. The midfield competed well all day without being able to engineer an equaliser.

At the final whistle both teams came off with bruises to show that it had been a hard fought encounter. The two teams meet again next week, at Morrinsville, in the plate competition of the Waikato Cup. I'm not sure either are looking forward to it. The goalkeepers of both sides were named man of the match.