The first annual Grampians/Gariwerd summer 7s soccer competition concluded on Thursday, February 1.
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Over 110 players registered from Stawell, Horsham, Ararat, Hamilton, Halls Gap, and Pomonal to play in the summer competition.
The Stawell Pioneers Soccer Club hosted the 2023/24 event.
The final match between the top two teams was a fast-paced, breathtaking showdown.
The Solanders, representing Ararat, took on the Wantoks, representing Stawell.
Despite a slow, calculated and conservative gameplay to begin with, the pace of the game quickly picked up.
By the second half teams had entered an energetic exchange of counter attacks.
The silky smooth skills of the players was on show for all to see as the ball movement was fluid from end-to- end at a that pace electrified the show.
Some spectators likened the flow of the fast paced game on a smaller field to that of a tennis match.
There was incredible goal keeping at both ends, entertaining audiences with athletic feats, quick dives and saves that otherwise would have resulted in goals not typically seen in soccer.
The final winners of the night were Solanders from Ararat, beating Wantoks 4-0.
Almost all goals being scored in the last 10 minutes of the game.
Northern Grampians Shire Council mayor Rob Haswell presented the Grampians/Gariwerd Summer 7s Cup to the Solanders team.
