This past weekend was a big one for Hawke's Bay football with a full round of league fixtures on Saturday and Sunday and a number of teams backing up with Federation Cup games on Monday. Added to this was the big Unison Junior Tournament held at Park Island on Saturday morning.

The Unison Junior Tournament was really well supported with 140 teams from Napier, Hastings and Havelock North clubs, plus a couple from Wairoa all converging on Park Island. Central Football would like to say a big thanks to all of the clubs that were involved and in particular, the club administrators and coaches who organised the entries and communicated the draws and so on to all of the teams.

Our thanks also go out to the tournament sponsor Unison, Laserforce for the players of the day vouchers and the National Aquarium for supplying some prizes for the winning teams in each group. After a threatening looking start, the weather played kind and the day was a great success with the kids looking like that all had a fantastic time.

In senior football for the weekend, the Computer Care Premiership leaders Duke of Gloucester Napier City Rovers extended the gap between second place to five points after a tense and hard-fought come from behind win over Eskview United at Bluewater Stadium. Their lead at the top of the table was increased when BM Accounting Port Hill United was held to a 0-0 draw with Alexander Electric Napier Marist at Park Island.

In other games, Gisborne United proved far too strong for a young Taradale team, brushing them aside 8-1 in Gisborne. Josh Adams with five and his brother Corey with three were clinical in front of goal and as a result, Josh Adams now becomes the outright leader in the golden boot race with 15. In Hastings, Gisborne Thistle made it a good day for the Poverty Bay with a convincing 3-0 win over Cru Bar Maycenvale, while Clubs Hastings Western Rangers got back to winning ways, overcoming a spirited Building King Havelock North Wanderers 3-2.

In the HB Women’s Premiership, Rothbury Insurance Brokers Port Hill showed their class dispatching 2017 champions Eskview Blue 6-1 in a game played mid-week. Western Rangers were too strong for Burger Fuel Port Hill Reserves, running out 4-1 winners at St Leonard's. Taradale Development team showcased some of the young talent coming through in Hawke's Bay women football while beating Indigo Port Hill 8-0. Thirteen-year-olds Hollie Gee and Milla Green both grabbing hat tricks and 14-year-old Sophie Watt a brace in this one. In the final fixture, Taradale Ladies and Eskview White battled out a goalless draw.