Unbeaten Hibiscus Coast celebrate NRF Women’s Championship title with big win

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Hibiscus Coast have celebrated their NRF Women’s Championship title with an 8-0 win against Manukau United.

Though their title was assured after Onehunga Sports’ defeat on Friday, Coast made sure they could enjoy their success with an outstanding performance at their Stanmore Bay home.

Hat-tricks from Stacey Martin and Danica Urlich-Beech formed the basis of the win which extends Coast’s season-long unbeaten league run to 13 games.

The champions took a 2-0 lead into half-time after goals from Peta Van Hattum (13′) and Martin (36′).

But they opened up their opponents in a second-half blitz that delivered six goals.

Martin completed her hat-trick with goals in the 62nd and 75th minutes.

Urlich-Beech scored her hat-trick in a 20-minute burst, while Cerys Houghton added Coast’s final goal of the day.

Meanwhile, Central United and Franklin United shared a 0-0 draw in Sunday’s only other fixture.

Club reaction

In a Facebook post, Hibiscus Coast pay tribute to their champion team, saying they look forward to taking their place in next year’s Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League.

The club said:

“For the first time in the club’s long history, this is a surreal moment for a very, very special group of people.

“Nearly four years in the making since Head Coach, Asher Trotter, joined the club — of which this is only the second full season that has been played since 2019 due to the pandemic.

“Missing out on the title by just 1pt in 2019, finishing unbeaten in 2020 with a cut-short pandemic season followed by another in 2021 -— this journey has been full of blood, sweat, and tears to say the least.”