Much rides on battle for Rosebowl

If results of matches between the two finalists this season so far are any guide today's Duff Rosebowl football cup-tie at Pukekura Park will be a tight encounter.

New Plymouth Rangers and Moturoa have clashed twice this season in the premier league, both games ending in a draw. Of the two teams in the cup final, which kicks off at 2.30pm, Moturoa have been the more consistent, going through the season unbeaten.

Rangers, on the other hand, have had a mixed bag with a sprinkling of indifferent performances.

Rangers produced arguably their best last weekend with a 10-1 demolition of Hawera in a Duff Rosebowl semifinal.

"There was no way I would have predicted we were going to win 10-1 especially after our performance (4-3 win) in the previous game," Rangers coach Shane Kidby said yesterday.

"I was pretty rapt with how the guys played last Saturday."

It's now up to Rangers to fire again and make it back to back success today.

Rangers, with five Team Taranaki footballers in its squad including Nathan Hill, who rammed home five goals in a semifinal last week, arguably hold an edge over Moturoa that has had just one, Mark Christensen, involved in the Central League.

Kidby believes the extra width of the Pukekura Park pitch of Team Taranaki's home ground over normal club pitches could be a significant factor in the game. "The legs can get a bit tired towards the end of a game. So that could make a telling difference," he said.

Moturoa will be looking to end a seven-year drought since they last lifted the coveted trophy in Taranaki premier football.

Moturoa player-coach Scott Manson was quick to take the underdog tag for his team on the eve of the final.

"It's not a tag we've had too often this year, but the boys don't mind," he said, adding that Rangers were impressive last week in their semifinal.

"We had a talk at training last night and every week we just take it as it comes and this time its no different. It's just a bigger occasion, that's all."

Moturoa will not only cap a fantastic season if successful in today's final, but will end a long time between drinks out of the Duff Rosebowl which they last lifted in 2003.

Other Taranaki football finals being played on Pukekura Park today include the Nimmo Cup with New Plymouth Rangers reserve team up against Stratford with a 12.30pm kick off.

The women's Duchess Cup final is scheduled for 1pm at Pukekura Park tomorrow but the venue is weather dependent. If wet the alternative venue is New Plymouth's Peringa Park.

The final of the under-19 Knockout Cup between Moturoa and Hawera is planned for 10.30am today at either Pukekura Park or Peringa Park.

- © Fairfax NZ News