Congratulations to Watson Integrity Palmerston North Marist, who have emerged as the champions of the Lotto Federation League for 2023.

Marist finished the league with an impressive 31 points, comprising of 10 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses.

Assistant Coach Adam Cowan expressed his thoughts on the season, stating, "This season has been quite an interesting one, as we faced each team four times. We knew from the beginning that we would need to utilize our entire squad. I believe our success can be attributed to the fact that we could rely on every player to contribute when called upon."

Cowan also acknowledged the contributions of long-standing squad members, who have provided a solid foundation for the team's growth. “We have a number of players who have been in the squad for a long time now and have provided a strong backbone to build from.”

Looking ahead, Marist's focus now shifts to the upcoming playoff match against Island Bay United. Cowan shared their goals, saying, "Our aim is to achieve success in the playoffs and secure a Central League spot for the Manawatu region once again. We have been in this position before, so we understand the level of performance required. We're ready for Saturday!"

The first leg of the Men's Central League Playoffs will see Island Bay United facing off against Palmerston North Marist at Wakefield Park, with kick-off scheduled for 5.30pm.

The second leg will take place on Saturday, September 23rd at Arena Manawatu, kick off 5.30pm.

Article added: Wednesday 13 September 2023