Lotto Northern Women's Championship leaders Melville United had their colours lowered for the first time this season on July 6, Grace Chitty's goal just after the hour mark earning Birkenhead United a 1-0 win at Shepherds Park. The result allowed Onehunga Sports to close to within five points of the lead following their 3-1 win over Northern Rovers at Waikaraka Park, where there was a flurry of scoring either side of the half-time whistle. Zoe Fon's opener for "The Green Machine" was swiftly matched by Lauren Smyth before the interval, while soon after it, substitute Hannah Brook restored Sports' advantage. Pip Meo made the points safe for the home team seven minutes from time. At John Kerkhof Park, Cambridge scored twice late in each half as they comfortably accounted for Central United 4-0. Stella Neems and Olivia Bult put the home team in the driving seat just before half-time, with Iona Love and substitute Caitlyn Varcoe doubling the advantage in the final eleven minutes of the contest. A rescheduled match between Franklin United and Cambridge, at the Drury Sports Complex this Sunday, is the lone Championship encounter this weekend, with the competition resuming in earnest in a fortnight. Details: Birkenhead United 1 (G. Chitty (66)), Melville United 0  HT 0-0 Cambridge 4 (S. Neems (37), O. Bult (44), I. Love (77), C. Varcoe (88)), Central United 0  HT 2-0 Onehunga Sports 3 (Z. Fon (39), H. Brook (53), P. Meo (83)), Northern Rovers 1 (L. Smyth (42))  HT 1-1 In a rescheduled Lotto Northern Premier Women's League fixture, Tauranga Moana turned the tables on Hibiscus Coast at Links Avenue, thumping the visitors 4-0 a week after "The Coasters" had prevailed 3-1 at Stanmore Bay Reserve. Two goals in three minutes from Miah Smith and former "Coaster" Gabriella Hislop put the Bay of Plenty outfit in the driving seat before the half-hour mark, and another quickfire one-two in the second spell - Ella Golding and Grace Duncan delivered the knockout blows - sent the visitors back to the bottom of the table, two points behind their conquerors. Fourteenth round action kicks off on Saturday with Auckland United welcoming Fencibles United to Keith Hay Park for a 12.30pm kick-off. A smidgen

over twenty-four hours later, the game of the round sees West Coast Rangers and Eastern Suburbs locking horns at Fred Taylor Park. Tauranga entertain Western Springs at Links Avenue in a 2pm duel, while the sun will be dropping below the horizon at Michaels Avenue in the late encounter between Ellerslie and "The Coasters". Details: Tauranga Moana 4 (M. Smith (22), G. Hislop (25), E. Golding (55), G. Duncan (60)), Hibiscus Coast 0  HT 2-0 In the Central Region Premier Women's League, a first half double from captain Maddi Hughes inspired Taradale to a 4-2 win over Marist Palmerston North at Taradale Park, allowing the victors to consolidate their position in the top half of the table. Second half goals from Helen Marwick and Sam Waru made sure of the points for the home side, with the visitors' goals coming at the end of each half, Isabella Yarwood and Marina Ishimoto the respective markwomen. Twelfth round action on Saturday sees Taradale heading to Newtown Park to take on unbeaten league leaders Wellington United, while Moturoa and Marist meet at Onuku Taipari Domain. Sunday's fare sees Wellington Phoenix taking on Victoria University at Fraser Park, while Petone head across town to Miramar Rangers' Dave Farrington Park home on a day Waterside Karori make the journey north to Memorial Park, where Palmerston North United lie in wait. Details: Taradale 4 (M. Hughes (13, 40), H. Marwick (69), S. Waru (79)), Marist Palmerston North 2 (I. Yarwood (45), M. Ishimoto (90))  HT 2-1 South Island Women's League action this weekend sees unbeaten leaders Dunedin City Royals taking on Roslyn Wakari at Logan Park on Saturday, the same day on which Halswell United will host Cashmere Technical at Halswell Domain. Sunday's fare sees Coastal Spirit making the long trek north to Nelson Suburbs, whose clash with "The Hawks" this weekend was called off early - the sunshine capital of NZ is copping more than its fair share of water this winter! The other Sunday encounter sees Nomads-Waimakariri United entertaining Otago University at Tulett Park.