The University Cougars made it eight straight wins with a dogged 16 point win over the Warwick Redbacks in the Reward Distribution Cancer Challenge at USQ on Saturday.
University, wearing pink and yellow, prevailed over Warwick, wearing shades of light and royal blue to the tune of 10-12-72 to 8-8-56. A 19th man was introduced for each side at the 15 minute mark of each quarter in the form of Hamish from CFM (Cougars) and James O'Shea from WIN TV (Redbacks) in an entertaining aside to the game.
In the first quarter it was the Redbacks who were by far the hungrier of the two outfits. Kris and Kurt Millard seemed to be everywhere to repel the Cougars, who took well over ten minutes to effect a forward fifty entry. Their opening goal of the game came after the quarter time siren to reduce the margin to a flattering 12 points.
As the second term wore on, the Cougars began to get back into the game but were haunted by some lamentable goal kicking. Joel Yosh began to look dangerous up forward, Tim Loch won ball around clearances and Mat Smith found plenty of space on a wing. On the other hand Warwick Backmen Stephen Martin and Andrew Bardsley were working overtime to keep the visitor's noses in front by a solitary point at half time.
The Cougars started the third term the better and hit the front for the first time thanks to three goals to the classy Heath Gniel before the Redbacks hit back with a couple of late goals through the efforts of Alex Cutmore and Matthew Sinkins to reduce the margin to just four points at the final break. Clinton McErvale was the most dangerous forward for Warwick with four goals.
First blood went to University in the last quarter before a Warwick goal after an arm wrestle reduced the margin to just 3 points. However the key backs of University in Josh Timmer and Alex Schoenfisch were excellent all day and dried up any scores at the northern end of the field thereafter, allowing has-been Scott Sowerby to pick himself up off the ground upon which he had been rolling for most of the day, to kick the final two six pointers of the contest.
The day was a great success with many sponsors and the hard work of Shane Melrose, Mat Croft and all the volunteers paying off. The large crowd, including quite a few old boys & girls also created a good atmosphere. Band Under City Lights then rocked from the back of a truck until well into the evening to cap off a memorable day.
UNIVERSITY 1-3-9 3-10-28 7-11-53 10-12-72
WARWICK 3-3-21 4-5-29 7-7-49 8-8-56
GOALS:
UNIVERSITY: Heath Gniel 3, Joel Yosh 2, Scott Sowerby 2, Mat Croft, Paul Kupke, Garry Wade
WARWICK: Clinton McErvale 4, Kurt Millard, Mark Mills, Nick Donges, Bryce Bodsworth
BEST:
UNIVERSITY: Josh Timmer (BOG), Alex Schoenfisch, Joel Yosh, Mathew Smith, Scott Sowerby, Tim Loch
WARWICK: Kurt Millard, Kris Millard, Stephen Martin, Matthew Sinkins, Andrew Bardsley, Alex Cutmore
Story Released by: Scott Sowerby
Photo: Hamish Carter from CFM (left) and James O'Shea from Win TV (Right) lining up against each other during the Charity Shield match
Last Modified on 07/09/2010 14:36
