The two big stories over the summer in the Speed Field Days Mallee Football League were Beulah and Jeparit /Rainbow. This ensured a big crowd gathering at Beulah last Saturday when the two clubs went head to head.
In very warm conditions the Lakers jumped out of the blocks and had the upper hand for the first ten minutes of the game. The display of football played was fast and furious but the Blues settled and were the team who enjoyed the first quarter lead.
The Blues had the aid of a strong breeze in the second quarter and duly piled on 7 goals while keeping Jeparit Rainbow scoreless. The game was effectively over at half time.
Beulah’s boom recruit Adam Carter was a standout as he controlled the game from centre halfback while the Blues middle field of Tom Hallam, Brad Shannon and Coach Scott Smith were providing plenty of supply to the forward line where the goals were shared by 10 different players.
Jeparit/ Rainbow in fairness were having their first hit out for the season and following a distressing month, improvement from the Lakers will be a certainty. Heath and Simon Clugston and Luke and Jayden Werner all came under notice in a team that was at times under siege.
A 94 point win to Beulah must have put a shudder through the Speed Field Days Mallee Football League as it appears the Blues, if not back in town are surely on the outskirts.
In the game at Underbool Walpeup Underbool won the toss and kicked with the wind in the first quarter. A free kick out of the centre got the ball down forward and Warrick Brady kicked the first goal. Hopetoun replied quickly with a goal by Luke Puckel. The game was exciting as Leigh Hutchinson again kicked another goal for Hopetoun. Matt Brown replied for Walpeup Underbool to put the Roos back in front, but a cracking mark by Tom Pridgen from Hopetoun levelled the score by quarter time.
In the Second quarter Hopetoun started well with the breeze as Bryce Wellington took a great mark and kicked truly. Hopetoun seemed to have the ascendency in this quarter as Marcus Burdett kicked a long bomb. Chris Vorwerk kicked a welcome goal for Walpeup Underbool but Hopetoun replied with Simon Cook answering with a goal. Hopetoun broke the game open kicking ten goals for the quarter with Leigh Hutchinson and Dylan Robertson bagging a couple each.
At the start of the second half Walpeup Underbool had the chance to make up some ground but wasted chances in front of goal. Warrick Brady came off with bruised ribs from friendly fire and the Roos rallied late in the quarter to bring the margin back to a few goals.
The last quarter started with Walpeup Underbool scoring first goal through Chris Vorwerk who kicked one through the centre from a set shot with Tim Vallance racking up possessions. But the Burdett brothers lifted another notch and started to dominate the game out of the centre which helped Hopetoun kick away as the game went on. The dominate performance saw Hopetoun win their first game in Underbool for a number of years.
Ouyen United travelled down to Woomelang for the clash with the Cats. Ouyen United started well finding key forward Ash Connick who was able to convert in front of goals. The first term saw Ouyen United kicked 5 goals 2 to Woomelang Lascelles 1 goal 6. The Cats had a number of shots at goal but were off target.
The second term saw the Demons kick another 5 goals 5 to the Cats 2 goals 1 and Ouyen United were clearly on top with winners all over the ground. Ash Connick was showing that he could find the big sticks while he had plenty of Demon runners assisting him namely Corey Gregg, and Ryan O’Callaghan. Woomelang Lascelles Tony Mudge was good in the middle and tried hard all day but at half time the Demons were up by 42 points.
The third term saw Ouyen United kick 9 goals 2 to Woomelang Lascelles 1 point and the Demons were dominating out of the centre with Corey Gregg creating a lot of the play.
The final term saw Ouyen United’s powerful kicking on display as they booted 10 goals 6 to Woomelang Lascelles 3 goals 1 and at the final siren Ouyen United had run out winners by 149 points. Ash Connick booted 8 goals for the Demons while Corey Gregg and Ryan O’Callaghan chipped in with 4 goals each. Woomelang Lascelles new recruit Jason Kreuger was a focal point up forward with 3 goals with Jake Notting being the other multiple goal kicker with 2 goals. Best for Ouyen United was Corey Gregg, Ryan O’Callaghan and Marc Hahnel. Woomelang Lascelles best players included Tony Mudge, Ned Duthie and Anthony Foott. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers had the bye.
Last Modified on 18/04/2010 12:15
