Eastern Suburbs clinched their first Lotto Northern Premier Women's League title for the first time since 1980 at Keith Hay Park on August 4, edging Three Kings United 2-1 to claim the crown with two rounds to spare. It's a long overdue reward for "The Lilywhites", who, since returning to the league in 2001 after a twenty-year absence, have frequently been in contention for the trophy before fading in the run-in. Not this year. It's a particularly sweet honour for coach Rico Wilson, captain Rebecca Tegg and team stalwarts Melanie Gooch and Flora McLeod, all of whom have been with Suburbs for a decade now, and in the case of the first- and second-mentioned, since the outset, when "The Lilywhites" marked their return to the country's foremost women's club league competition by winning the Plate in 2001. They had to do it the hard way on coronation day, however. It was all Three Kings in the early stages, and only the timely intervention of Jess Verdon prevented Claudia Crasborn from bearing down on goal in the ninth minute as she looked to latch onto Emily Jensen's lofted ball forward. Suburbs' response was led by the redoubtable Katie Hoyle, whose signature is much coveted by every club in the competition - sign her up, and you've a better than even chance of winning the league, as proven by the championship winners' medals she can show for each of the last four seasons in which she has played in it. Her game-long tussle with Annalie Longo throughout this match was well worth the admission money and then some, with both players enjoying spells of supremacy during the contest. In the thirteenth minute, however, it was Hoyle who was to the fore, catching Tina Kolose in possession and bursting forward before being forced to the by-line by Emily Jensen. Hoyle then checked and combined with Gooch to present Dayna Manak with a shooting chance which she directed at Rebecca Rolls from twenty-five yards. Seconds later, Chelsey Wood's early ball forward released Gooch down the left. Jensen raced back to clear for a corner, which Dana Humby - another who is no stranger to title-winning teams - delivered to the far post. Exactly a year ago to the day, Verdon scored her first goal for Suburbs. What better time and occasion to double her tally than the match which was to clinch the title? She soared unchallenged over all-comers to send a bullet header crashing into the net from close range - 1-0, and a more delighted scorer you couldn't wish to see! United were stung by this setback, and sought a swift riposte, but the scorer of the game's opening goal had other ideas. Another splendid tackle on Crasborn, as she latched onto Longo's through ball, saw Verdon prevail in the twentieth minute, while Humby provided the cover two minutes later as United's makeshift striker sought to exploit the enterprise of Kolose and Longo. On this occasion, United earned a corner, which Crasborn delivered. The ball was headed clear to Longo, who lobbed it back into the danger zone, where Abby Erceg was racing in to meet it. Racing out to do so was Erin Nayler - the goalkeeper prevailed, with the Frauen Bundesliga-bound defender ending up in the back of the net, without the ball for company. Defences continued to enjoy the upper hand in this battle of wills until the 33rd minute, when Three Kings contrived the move of the match thus far, and a welcome variation to the long ball forward which seemed to be their prime attacking thrust in this contest. Jensen sparked things off, and very swiftly the ball zipped between Longo, Shivi Anthony and Kolose, who released Longo on the overlap. Her cross was flicked on by Jasmine Pereira towards Crasborn, who was once again foiled by the vibrant Verdon. Five minutes before half-time, Suburbs doubled their advantage, and Erceg is still kicking herself for her part in the incident. She was dribbling out of defence when a familiar figure closed her down and swiftly stripped her of possession, catching United's captain off-guard. Erceg was mortified, particularly given it was Football Ferns' team-mate Hoyle who had done the deed - you can guarantee this will be worth a few favours on future trips abroad! The midfielder still had plenty to do, however. As well as evading the pursuing figure of Erceg, she had the approaching figure of Rolls to contend with as well. But Hoyle overcame that not inconsiderable obstacle decisively, steering the ball beyond the 'keeper and inside her right-hand post - 2-0. Erceg was understandably eager to make amends for her blemish, and within sixty seconds was heading a Crasborn corner narrowly past the far post. Before

Rebecca Tegg receives the trophy from Auckland Football Federation CEO David Parker Richard Wilson with the trophy Annalie Longo Chelsey Wood Claudia Crasborn Becky Hawker

half-time, however, both goals survived scares, with Tegg shooting straight at Rolls after appearing to have been well offside - the flag stayed down. That 44th minute incident was followed forty seconds later by a great chance to United, courtesy another flowing passing move, which culminated in Crasborn releasing the overlapping figure of Hannah Robert down the left, from where she picked out Jessie Mathews unmarked on the far post. She directed her volley straight at Nayler with the goal at her mercy. Having been under the cosh for large chunks of the first half, Suburbs enjoyed the better of the second half exchanges, with Tegg leading the way in the 49th minute. She cleverly outfoxed Erceg by allowing a Hoyle pass to roll beyond both players, Tegg's quick-thinking gaining her a vital yard on United's armband-wearer. Robert swooped on the loose ball, but hesitated as Tegg bore down on her, and paid the price, the striker swiftly securing possession before unleashing a shot which Rolls could only parry. Gooch, racing in beyond the far post, was unable to capitalise on the chance to turn the ball home into the empty net. Three Kings' response saw the Hayr sisters combining, Kirsty playing through half-time substitute Sam with just Nayler to beat. The 'keeper raced out and saved bravely at the newcomer's feet, however, and was similarly commanding in her penalty area in the 55th minute when dealing with a cross from Anthony. Nayler's punch landed at the feet of Longo, some twenty-five yards out from goal. She promptly let fly with a shot which beat the back-pedalling goalkeeper all ends up, only to cannon to safety off her left-hand upright. Seconds later, "Flea" was in again, lashing her shot over the bar as United pressed for a way back into the contest from the resulting goal-kick. When Nayler next sent the ball downfield, the industrious Emily Stotter and Manak combined to present Tegg with the chance to shoot on the run. She did so, but poorly by her standards. After Rolls had gathered a twenty-five yarder from Stotter at the second attempt, following a neat move which also involved Hoyle and Manak, Tegg again got the better of Erceg, only to undo her good work by shooting tamely at Rolls - the prolific markswoman certainly wasn't at her best in this game. By now, Suburbs were twenty minutes away from clinching the title, but United weren't giving them a moment's piece. Mathews rattled the hoardings beside Nayler's goal after overlapping fullback Anthony had done superbly well to hold off two challenges in the visitors' penalty area. Soon after, Nayler was caught in possession by the ever-alert figure of Longo deep inside her penalty area. The 'keeper's blushes were spared by the covering figure of Chelsey Wood, who calmly stepped in to clear Longo's goalbound shot to safety sixteen minutes from time. Nayler featured again five minutes later, but not in the manner she intended. United worked a short corner, which Longo floated towards the far post. Nayler came to catch it, but instead ended flat on her back, seeing stars. Erceg, who clattered into the 'keeper, was rightly shown a yellow card by referee Anna-Marie Keighley, who, save for the odd incident here and there, was generally consistent. Nayler recovered well - she had to, as two minutes later, she was in the thick of things again. Longo split the defence once more with a pass which found Mathews ghosting in, but the Football Ferns custodian darted out to block at her feet. That seemed to spell the end of Three Kings' threats, for it was Suburbs who enjoyed the better of the remaining minutes. Tegg's through ball for Becky Hawker was only thwarted by Erceg's presence of mind, but the youngster was in again seconds later, on receipt of a pass from substitute McLeod. Much to United's relief, Hawker hit the post, the rebound from which sparked a counter-attack which set a rousing finale. Longo led the charge, but steaming up in support was Jensen, who produced a measured cross which deceived most, and which was eventually bundled home on the far post by Mathews, despite claims of hand-ball from a suddenly nervous Suburbs side. They held onto their 2-1 advantage in the time which remained, however, and when confirmation came through that Claudelands Rovers, the only team who could now prevent them from winning the league, had lost at Glenfield Rovers, Eastern Suburbs' celebrations began in earnest - champions at last! United:     Rolls; Anthony, Jensen, Erceg (booked, 79), Robert; Longo, Kolose, K. Hayr (Hansen, 72); Mathews, Pereira (S. Hayr, 46), Crasborn Suburbs:     Nayler; Verdon, Humby, Wood, Steele; Stotter (McLeod, 86), Hoyle, Manak; Hawker, Tegg, Gooch (Tiffen, 70) Referee:     Anna-Marie Keighley