Draw clinches Women’s Central League title for Wellington United Diamonds

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By Warren Olson

Wellington United Diamonds have taken the Women’s Central League title after drawing 1-1 with nearest rivals Waterside Karori in the competition’s final fixture.

Playing at a blustery Karori Park, with ardent supporters from both sides packing the sidelines, the sides ground out an evenly fought stalemate.

Though the point from the draw was enough for United to clinch the league title, it also meant Waterside Karori retained the Nora Watkins Shield for the summer.

With the downhill advantage, Karori had the better of the first half, finally netting through Kendall Pollock from a goalmouth scramble after a corner and a couple of fine saves from Molly Simons in the Wellington goal kept it to 1-0 at the break.

In the second half, not surprisingly, it was the visitors who had most of the early possession but with their injury-depleted attacking ranks, few clear-cut chances were created.

Captain Zoe Barrott, who seemed to be everywhere from left back, played in a great corner which Hope Gilchrist charged onto to level the score.

Karori threw everything at a tiring United in the final 10 minutes, but with stout defending and that downhill advantage they held out for the draw to celebrate taking the title.

Main photo: The jubilant Wellington United Diamonds. Photo credit: Dave Webster.