• Rovers footballers finish sixth in league

Rovers footballers finish sixth in league

Napier City Rovers were on the wrong end of a frantic finish in their final Ultra Football Central League game of the season today.


"It wasn't a good game from the Blues but it could still have gone either way," Rovers stalwart and ground announcer Chris McIvor said after Thirsty Whale Napier City Rovers 3-2 loss to bottom-of-the-table and relegation bound Stop Out.


During a final frantic two minutes former Phoenix player Justin Gulley, who was playing in the midfield scored the winning goal for Stop Out. Rovers led 1-0 at halftime after the visitors conceded an own goal.



Stop Out scored early in the second half to tie the score at 1-all and then took a 2-1 lead. Rovers striker Gavin Hoy produced a nice strike inside the box to tie the game up again.


Captain James Hoyle, fellow midfielder Liam Schofield and wide back Fergus Neil were the best of the Rovers players.


Rovers under-19 team coach for the club's annual Labour Weekend Youth tournament, McIvor, was also happy with the contribution from two of his players, defender Ethan Ladd and forward Zac Madsen.


Rovers finished sixth in the league. Down in the capital Miramar Rangers beat Western Suburbs 1-0 to win the Central League title.

After Rovers were beaten 4-1 by Rangers six weeks ago Rovers player-coach Bill Robertson predicted them to win the title.