The Tauranga City United AFC ‘Relics' put on a good show at the recent World Masters Games in Auckland, coming away with bronze medals.

The 19-strong squad was unbeaten for most the tournament, conceding only a single goal in six games.

Team manager and player Dav Sheahan says the team did exceptionally well.

'We lost in the semi-final to Brazil on penalties. It was 1-1 after fulltime, and they won the penalties 4-2. But we beat an Australian club 5-0 in the bronze medal match.”

All up, they scored 24 goals in the tournament, conceding the last one – and in some ways, the fateful one – in the dying minutes of their semi-final match.

Dav says everyone was utilised, and they ended up with only one non-injured player at the end of the tournament.

'In the pool play we came up against some strong teams. But in saying that, we played Ellerslie and beat them 6-0 in the pool, and they're a strong club; as are East Coast Bays, who we also beat 6-0.”

The success of the footballers follows other local medal winners at the popular games, including an 80-medal haul for Omanu Surf Life Saving Club, gold medals for the Tauranga Bowls Club ladies' team, and gold and silver medals for the Bay of Plenty dragon boat club.

'I can only compliment the organisers of the tournament. It was really well done,” says Dav.

'The boys are even talking about going to Japan in four years' time for next games.”