Top two teams forge ahead

Trojans AFC and Rangers Reserves remain locked at the top of the Marlborough senior men’s open grade standings after both sides scored comfortable wins on Saturday.

Trojans’ victory was, in fact, more than comfortable, racking up a 21-1 victory over stablemates Trojans Spartans. Andrew Walmsley scored five goals for the victors, all coming in the first half.

Reserves notched a 5-0 victory over Trojans Strikers, with the goals being shared around.

Rangers Masters also showed their strikepower, clinching a 7-3 win over Renwick Lonewolves, Sam Pearson notching a hat-trick for Masters.

Rangers Colts and Trojans Angels fought out the closest match of the round, ending 1-1, while Rangers City eased past Picton Crow Tavern 3-2, all the goals scored by halftime.

The other big score came in the match between Rangers Athletic and Central Wolves, Athletic romping to a 10-0 victory with Boyd Elvy finding the back of the net on four occasions and Callum McDonald bagging a hat-trick.

Central FC were the other winners, beating BV Masters 5-1.

Points after six rounds: Trojans AFC 18, Rangers Reserves 18, Rangers City 15, Rangers Athletic 12, Rangers Masters 12, Renwick 11, Central 9, Trojans Angels 8, Picton 6, Central Wolves 5, Rangers Colts 4, Trojans Strikers 3, BV Masters 1, Trojans Spartans 0.

Meanwhile, in the Marlborough senior women’s grade competition, the unbeaten BV Chicks side and Rangers Wairau Valley Weapons scored wins. BV Chicks accounted for Picton 7-2 in a free-flowing encounter at Athletic Park, with Kirsten Maas scoring four times and Hayley Semmens twice.

At A&P Park, the Weapons notched up a 2-0 victory, scoring a goal in each half.

Points after four rounds: BV Chicks 12, Rangers 6, Trojans 3, Picton 3.

Rangers AFC’s struggles in the Nelson men’s division one competition continued on Saturday when they went down 4-0 to FC Nelson at Guppy Park, Nelson.

The scoring began with an own goal in the 21st minute, then, late in the half, the home side put the game to bed with three goals in quick succession.

Rangers’ stalwart Wolfie Waechter said it was a “very under-strength” Rangers side that travelled west.

“We were without four starters from the previous week and only had a couple of players on the bench. The game was out of reach by halftime but we played much better, with better discipline, in the second half. It was much more even, but we were up against a well-drilled and clever FC Nelson side so we will take the positives out of our later efforts.”

Among the side’s top performers were Isaac Rowden-Llosa, Bjorn Waechter, Ben Lindfield, replacement Israel Milan and the returning Jordan Columbus.

Next weekend Rangers take on Richmond, away.

Other results: Richmond 2 Golden Bay 1, Tahuna 1 Suburbs Reserves 1.

Points table after six weeks: Tahuna 14, FC Nelson 12, Suburbs 8, Rangers 6, Richmond 4, Golden Bay 1.