This was a fixture that a lot of people were excited for. The defending champions from 2024, Roefield, were up against the debutants Rimy Old Boys. Roefield were superb in last year’s tournament and deserved their title – but their 2025 opener posed a new challenge to their crown. Rimington came into this year’s competition with a reputation for winning, and they started their campaign exactly that way.
Conditions were kinder this week – the setting sun and humid air seemed to favour Roefield early on, but with just one substitute and an injury halfway through the first half, the eight remaining players had their work cut out.
A cagey opening 25 minutes ended goalless. Rimington keeper Graeme Kershaw was largely untested, while Roefield’s Murray O’Rourke made a standout save just before the break after a deflected effort.
Rimington came flying out of the traps in the second half, dominating possession and territory. Roefield managed to push forward on a few occasions, including a slick move that saw the ball strike the post on 40 minutes with Kershaw rooted to the spot.
The pressure was relentless, and O’Rourke was called into action time and again, producing an excellent performance between the sticks.
But on 45 minutes, Rimington finally broke through. A flowing passing move down the left created space for Matty Haworth, who swept home a tidy finish into the far corner.
Roefield chased an equaliser late on, committing bodies forward, but Rimington held strong. In the dying moments, it could have been 2–0 if not for a heroic goal-line block from Sam Rayson.
A draw wouldn’t have been an unfair result, but Rimington took their big chance when it mattered. These are clearly two top teams – and it will take something special to stop either of them reaching the grand final.
Looking ahead to the next round:
