Memorial tournament a winner

The weather matched the football as the Marlborough senior football season kicked off at A&P Park on Saturday.

The skies were clear and the football bright and attractive as the John Columbus Senior Men’s Tournament opened proceedings for 2025. Ten local sides took part, in two separate pools.

The final also provided late entertainment, the match ending in a penalty shootout as Rangers Reserves claimed the title for the first time.

Their coach, Gareth Pugh, said it was good to get underway.

“The Reserves and Colts sides have been training for 11 weeks and were itching to play. Both teams played some attractive football and it was great to blood a number of youngsters into the men’s division.

“It's always a good feeling to win a tournament but we are under no illusions that it is only a warm-up and a few teams were light of some players, so there is still plenty of work to do.

“Newbies to the Reserves squad - Ben Lindfield, Issac Llosa Rowden, Rhys Yockney, Riley Ponder and Alex McLeish - showed their potential and the team was captained well by Cody Stone, while Logan Stone pulled the rabbit out of the hat with three saves in the final penalty shoot-out,” added Gareth.

Final placings: 1 Rangers Reserves, 2 Trojans AFC, 3 Rangers Colts, 4 Central Buccaneers, 5 Picton Crow Tavern, 6 Rangers City, 7 Central Wolves, 8 BV Masters, 9 Renwick Lonewolves, 10 Trojans Strikers.

The local competition kicks off on Saturday, April 26.