Harewood and Marist were celebrating on Saturday evening as the Canterbury Premier League (CPL) concluded with an action packed finals day at Nga Puna Wai.
Having captured the Rosebowl and Challenge Shield already, Harewood claimed the treble with a hard fought 2-1 victory over defending champions Carlton Redcliffs in the women’s final. Millie Calder scored the winner three minutes from fulltime, converting a penalty corner as the Hunters finally got ahead in the game.
Jenna-Rae McIntyre put Carlton ahead in the first quarter, touching in a penalty corner on the post, before Bella Ambrosius levelled things up just before halftime. The second half saw both teams create a number of opportunities, before Calder stepped up in the final few minutes to seal the deal.
The win gives Harewood their third title in four years, and they finish the season with 13 wins and just the one loss.
Marist went back to back in the men’s competition with a penalty shootout victory over Carlton Redcliffs in the final.
Coming into the match as slight underdogs and down on key personnel, Marist had the better of the first half, and were rewarded with a goal to Jayden Rakowitz who finished off a counter attack high into the net in the second quarter.
The second half saw Redcliffs gain more of the ascendancy, and they levelled things up with 12 minutes remaining through Chris Goldsbury. The final 10 minutes were frantic, with Redcliffs finishing the stronger but unable to find a late goal like they had so often during the season.
Marist held their nerve in the shootout, scoring four of their five while Redcliffs missed two, as reserve goalkeeper Emil Collins came up trumps for the green machine to send the players and supporters into a frenzy.
Marist claimed a podium spot in the women’s competition with a 2-1 victory over Avon, while Avon and Harewood would share the spoils in the men’s bronze medal match that finished.
Harewood completed a dream day for the club as they claimed the Division One women’s title, while Carlton Redcliffs went back to back as they beat Southern United in the Division One men’s final.
Canterbury Premier League Finals
Womens: Harewood 2 (Bella Ambrosius, Millie Calder), Carlton Redcliffs 1 (Jenna-Rae McIntyre)
Mens: Marist 1 (4) (Jayden Rakowitz), Carlton Redcliffs 1 (2) (Chris Goldsbury).