After the emotions of raising the 2009 Premiership flag the Tigers made a very slow start against a determined Woomelang Lascelles side. Winning the contested ball the Cats led by 15 points at quarter time. Putting new recruit Ryan Dowdy onto the ball sparked a Tiger rival taking the lead midway through the second quarter.
At half time the Tigers led 10 goals 7 to 6 goals 4. Cats coach Daniel Quinn was gallant for the Cats along with big man Joel Donnan. Darcy Ryan, Colin Durie, Luke Martin and Ryan Dowdy were winners for the Tigers.
In the second half it was all the Tigers, however to Woomelang Lascelles’ credit they did not stop trying. Nathan Wight stamped his authority as the leagues’ reigning goal kicker by kicking 10 goals. He was helped by captain Liam Barry with 4 goals and Colin Durie and Ryan Parkinson with 3 goals each. For Woomelang Lascelles the only multiple goal kickers were Jake Notting and Kade Schack with 2 goals each.
The final score saw the Tigers win by kicking 25 goals 13 (163) to the Cats 8 goals 8 (56). Better players for the victors were coach Colin Durie, newcomer Ryan Dowdy and goal kicker Nathan Wight while for the Cats midfielders Tony Mudge and new recruit Anthony Foott did not stop trying, along with Clayton Lee and youngster Harrison Wooding.
In near perfect conditions with a light breeze to the northern end, the much anticipated clash between local rivals Ouyen United and Walpeup/Underbool began as a scrappy affair with early kicks missing targets. It was the Roos who settled down first as their taller forwards held onto overhead marks and they were able to skip away to a two goal lead by the ten minute mark, the ball rarely out of their forward line. Ouyen United seemed to settle after a great mark in a pack by Todd Barker; this seemed to give them the spark they needed and although they were still not hitting targets, first good play by Corey Gregg and then Wayne Grace lead to Ouyen United goals as they went ahead just before the end of the first quarter.
Ouyen United quickly increased their lead after the first beak and it was Sonny Lindsey who featured early after being well held by Simon Markham in the first quarter. This was turning into a game of wasted opportunities and it was Walpeup/Underbool’s turn to miss shots on goal and they were made to pay when good play by Corey Gregg to Peter Caldow saw Ouyen United jump out to a handy twenty one point lead. A goal to Matt Brown followed by a good mark to Warwick Brady within range saw the Roos right back in the contest, but when Brady kicked into the man on the mark and Kane Munro hobbled off with what looked like an injured ankle, any comeback by the Roos would be hard work. With their backline tightening up and more players at the ball, United were starting to look better, running the ball into their forward line. Kieran O’Shannessy was setting up a lot of their moves from the full back line.
Another quick opening goal by Lindsey and Ouyen United built on their fifteen point half time lead and were opening up play and starting to find targets. Ryan O’Callaghan was working hard and the coach must have been pleased with the play of his fast running and skilful players such as Corey Gregg, Pete Caldow and Jordan Manley who was finding his targets from the half-back line. For the Roos, Tim Vallance was working as hard as usual and both the Latta boys, Travis and Darren were getting a lot of the ball to keep the Roos in with some sort of a chance of pegging back Ouyen United’s 28 point three quarter time lead.
Beulah travelled to Hopetoun and with a wedding in Hopetoun it caused changes to the Hopetoun side but Beulah was determined to show that they would be a force in the league in 2010. Beulah opened up the first term kicking 9 goals 7 to Hopetoun’s 2 goals 1.
The second term wasn’t any better for the home side as the Blues kicked 12 goals 4 to Hopetoun’s 1 goal 3 and Beulah had a mammoth lead of 116 points at half time. Beulah was too strong for Hopetoun and the Blue’s forwards Jarred Combe and Jake Percy, were making every use of their opportunities.
The third term saw the scoring quieten down as Beulah kicked 3 goals 2 to the Devils 1 goal 4. Tom Hallam and Scott Smith were working hard for the Blues, while Liam Price and Clint and Marcus Burdett were trying to shut down Beulah’s running players.
The last term saw Beulah kick 9 goals 1 to Hopetoun’s 5 goals and Beulah showed that they would be the benchmark for season 2010. Beulah’s Jarred Combe finished the game with 10 goals while Jake Percy chipped in with 7 goals. Hopetoun’s coach Leigh Hutchinson booted 4 goals and Clint Castleman kicked 3 goals.
Last Modified on 11/04/2010 14:25
