Fencibles and Onehunga Sports locked in duel for Women’s Championship title

By Joan Grey

With just three rounds left in the 2023 Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship, the race for promotion is turning into a sprint-finish between leaders Fencibles United and Onehunga Sports.

As it stands, Fencibles United hold a four-point lead over Onehunga Sports after their 3-0 midweek win against Manukau United.

Franklin United are the only other team in the running for promotion, with an unlikely but theoretical chance.

At the other end of the ladder, Manukau United have distanced themselves from the relegation spot, leaving Te Atatu and Central United fighting for Championship survival.

Central defaulted this week’s fixture against Otumoetai, ensuring they remain anchored at the foot of the table, regardless of Te Atatu’s result at Onehunga Sports.

Game of the week

With only three points separating third-placed Franklin United and fourth-placed Tauranga, their match-up on Sunday could be important in deciding who places third in the league this season.

Both teams had convincing triumphs in the last round.

Franklin secured a 7-0 win over Te Atatu, while Tauranga won 6-1 over Manukau United.

Franklin will have the added advantage of home territory and have won five of their seven games played at Drury Sports Complex.

The fixture brings together the Championship’s three top goalscorers.

Franklin’s Chloe Marthe leads the chart with 17 goals, while Tauranga’s Abi Collins and Briana Osbourne follow narrowly behind, each with 16 goals.

Bold prediction

Onehunga Sports are on a streak of four consecutive clean sheets. I think they’ll continue their impeccable defensive record and collect another clean sheet against Te Atatu on Sunday.