Latest news with #Wallbank
Scoop
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Spoils Shared In OFC Women's Nations Cup Group A Opener
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Both coaches turned to the bench at half time, with Wallbank replacing Teretia Teinaki with Mareta Brothers, and Samin switching Hereana Brothers and Vahinetua Tuiho with Heitare Bonnet and Tihiura Tahutini respectively. The OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025 kicked off with the spoils shared by Tahiti and Cook Islands at Churchill Park in Lautoka today. Both 2022 quarter finalists were looking to start their campaigns strong, knowing that securing early points would be key if they were to progress from the group containing the reigning champions, Papua New Guinea. In the game's opening minutes, Tahiti looked the more dynamic of the two sides, though Cook Islands were comfortable absorbing the pressure. Haranui Le Gayic posed a constant threat for Tahiti down the right flank, epitomized as she burst into the box in the 21st minute. Her cutback, however, was too close to Cook Islands goalkeeper Courtney Napa, who comfortably gathered the ball. Tahiti again came close to breaking the deadlock five minutes later. A quick free kick saw Tauhere Teore released into space with a quality first touch taking her into the penalty area, but she couldn't keep her shot under the crossbar after expertly lobbing Napa. Tahiti were made to pay for not taking advantage of that opportunity, with Cook Islands opening the scoring minutes later through Tearoa Rouru. After Cook Islands were awarded a free kick, Tayla Hetherington cannoned her effort off the crossbar, with Rouru on hand to redirect the rebound beyond the grasp of the stranded Camille Andre just before the cooling break. Things seemed to compound for Tahiti when they were rocked with an enforced change just before half time, after Francesca Pagoubealo was stretchered off with a head knock, replaced with Kohai Mai. Both coaches turned to the bench at half time, with Wallbank replacing Teretia Teinaki with Mareta Brothers, and Samin switching Hereana Brothers and Vahinetua Tuiho with Heitare Bonnet and Tihiura Tahutini respectively. Following the restart, Tahiti started the brighter of the two sides, with Le Gayic again looking lively as she spearheaded the Tahitian attack. While Cook Islands were able to contain her efforts, they were unable to keep her teammates at bay, with first half substitute Mai finding Tahiti's equalizer just after the hour mark. The number seven started a slick one-two with Kiani Wong to prise open the Cook Islands defence, and she found herself in space in the penalty area, holding her nerve to bury past Napa. Despite both sides pressing hard, neither was able to secure a winner, with both Andre and Napa alert and putting their bodies on the line to snuff out any danger. Tahiti: 1 (Kohai MAI 63')
NZ Herald
22-04-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Ponsonby Road Bistro to close in May, latest Ponsonby eatery to close
After working for more than a decade at some of the world's best restaurants, Russell first opened a Ponsonby Rd restaurant in 2001, launching Rocco with Auckland restaurateur Mark Wallbank. The pair then opened Magnum, which morphed into Ponsonby Road Bistro in 2007. When Wallbank moved on to other establishments in 2011, Russell's wife, Gina, gradually came on board. Wallbank opened The Blue Breeze Inn at Ponsonby Central in 2013. Russell says he and Gina will be taking time to chill a little this year and are working on some new business ideas outside of hospitality to launch next year. Ponsonby Road Bistro will have its last dinner service on May 3. In an Instagram post, the Russells thanked all their 'wonderful customers and the incredible staff who've brought their own magic to our restaurant'. They said the last dinner service will be on May 3 and they will honour all outstanding vouchers up to this date. 'Come in for one last meal, one last glass, one last memory,' they wrote, saying their time at the restaurant has been 'an unforgettable ride'. Earlier this month, Sid and Chand Sahrawat announced they were closing their restaurant Kol, citing challenging trading conditions. 'The past few months have been tough,' they said in a statement, 'and while we've made the decision to close, we're glad we tried - you never know if an idea will succeed unless you try.' Kol will host its last dinner service on Mother's Day. They plan to set up a 'hospitality incubator' in the Kol premises to help new ventures test the market before launching out on their own. In July last year, one of Auckland's most famous restaurants, SPQR, was placed in liquidation. That same month, Chapel Bar & Bistro, also in Ponsonby, was placed in receivership after it failed to repay a loan to its co-owner worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. In December, Michael and Annette Dearth announced they were closing fine-dining CBD restaurant The Grove, after 20 years. 'There's a lot of reasons why we've made this decision,' Michael Dearth told the Herald 's Shayne Currie. 'It's definitely been floating around because it's been such a fight – from the pandemic, to so much uncertainty [with the] global financial crisis and extreme weather events where suddenly vegetables cost more than protein.' In February, Britomart's Bar Non Solo and MoVida announced they were closing, with the owners wanting to explore new opportunities. In March, popular Auckland eatery Monsoon Poon revealed it is set to close after 20 years in business. It will have its last service on May 3, the same day as Ponsonby Road Bistro will shut its doors for the last time. Owner Nicola Richards announced the news with 'mixed emotions', and said the closure came in the wake of the building on the corner of Custom St West and Lower Hobson St in downtown Auckland being sold and set for demolition. Last year, Madame George and Pilkingtons Restaurant and Bar also closed.
