After not hosting a Delivereasy Kate Sheppard Cup or Chatham Cup final since 2013, the return of the competitions to Ōtautahi Christchurch was always going to be a major event, and so it turned out as 11,267 football fans packed the stands at One New Zealand Stadium to watch Cashmere Technical take on Fencibles United.

Tech came into the final in good form, having comfortably finished top of the Southern League, 11 points ahead of their nearest rivals.

In their number 10, Garban Coughlan, they boasted the top goalscorer in the National League, with an incredible 28 goals so far this season.

For Fencibles, goals haven’t exactly been an issue either this season, netting 55 times, the second highest in the league, but the other end has been more of a challenge, conceding 36 in 22 games.

It was a cagey start to the game, with both clubs looking to create opportunities but struggling to find the breakthrough.

It wasn’t until after the half-hour mark that the match came alive, when Fencibles opened the scoring.

Liam Wessels was first to a loose ball and picked out Ronaldo Lopez Munoz on the edge of the box.

Some great close control took him past the Cashmere Tech defender before he finished low into the bottom corner of the net.

Boosted by the goal, Fencibles ended the first half the stronger, leading 1-0 at the break.

But it was Cash Tech who started the second half the stronger, peppering the Fencibles goal with chances.

Tech thought they had taken the lead when Coughlan took the ball off the Fencibles goalkeeper to finish into an empty net, but it was ruled out for a foul.

On 61 minutes, the Christchurch side finally found the net, and in spectacular fashion.

Nicholas Murphy may not be one of Cashmere’s leading scorers, but you wouldn’t know it as he controlled the ball before unleashing a rocket from well outside the box to draw the game level.

The goal boosted the Christchurch team, who came on stronger looking for a second, with good chances for their forward line.

But with 10 minutes to go, it was Fencibles who found the net.

A deep cross from captain Connor Probert met the outstretched foot of substitute Riwai Rangihuna-Stanton, but his effort deflected off the inside of the post and bounced across the goal line.

Fellow substitute Kodie Nicol was the first to the loose ball for an easy finish to give Fencibles a 2-1 lead.

Tech battled to get back into the game but couldn’t find the net, meaning the Delivereasy Chatham Cup will head to Pakuranga for the first time in Fencibles colours.

The Jack Batty Trophy was awarded to Fencibles Yoichi Kawachi.

FT:

Cashmere Technical – 1 (61’ N. Murphy)
Fencibles United - 2 (33’ R. Lopez Munoz, 80’ K. Nicol)

Article added: Saturday 05 September 2026