The Mill Rats and Rock Apes served up an action-packed, 15-goal thriller in the Opens soccer competition at Ward Oval on Saturday morning, with the Mill Rats eventually running out 9-6 winners after a see-sawing contest.
After being side-lined for a few weeks, the players were thrilled to be back on the pitch when the 2026 competition recommenced on Saturday.
With both sides showing plenty of determination in defence early, it was Mill Rats midfielder Mukesh Khaniya who broke the deadlock with a strong run downfield before finishing off the attacking move.
The Rock Apes hit back soon after when Isaac Theakston found space and calmly slotted the ball past the Mill Rats’ goalkeeper to level the scores.
The Mill Rats gradually gained the upper hand in the fast-paced contest, taking a 4-2 lead into the halftime break, but the Rock Apes refused to go away.
They stormed back into the match after the restart, piling on the goals to draw level at 6-all midway through the second half and setting up a thrilling finish.
With the momentum swinging from end to end, the Mill Rats steadied and produced a strong final surge, adding three unanswered goals to secure an entertaining 9-6 victory.
Both teams displayed plenty of pace and attacking flair throughout the match.
Rock Apes centre back Ayush Yonzon was influential at both ends of the field, proving a valuable defender while also contributing three goals.
Teammate Isaac Theakston finished with two goals and Prajwal ‘PK’ Kharel also got on the scoresheet.
For the Mill Rats, Khaniya controlled the midfield and sparked numerous attacking raids, with Parker Cryer and Mark McBride also heavily involved in the build-up play.
Rabi Phuyal led the scoring with a hat-trick, while Mayan Bista and McBride each bagged doubles.
Cryer added a goal to the tally along with Khaniya’s opening strike.
Referee Jason Foster praised Rock Apes player Max Dejonge for his athleticism and teamwork and his team mate Jennifer Jeremic for her consistent effort and eagerness to improve throughout the game.
Stepping up from the Seniors competition, Ashton Campbell earned the Shell Slushie Award for an outstanding performance in goal for the Mill Rats, pulling off a string of impressive saves that helped his side weather the Rock Apes’ second-half charge and secure the win.
For his efforts, DeJonge collected the Gumnuts Milkshake Award and Jeremic earned the Cobar Hot Bake Donut Award.
