The Cougars led from start to finish and while they were challenged at stages throughout the game they looked the better team for the majority of the match.
The game started predictably as finals should with both teams hitting the ball at high intensity but when the dust cleared it was University who used the ball more efficiently and with key forward Al Reilly taking several contested marks in the opening term the Cougars opened up a 2 goal advantage at the first break.
The second quarter was much the same as the first with Souths clearly winning the centre clearance tussle but failing to convert that advantage on the scoreboard. The Cougars backline was repelling Souths forward thrusts with ease and with their own forward line looking much more potent than the Bombers the Cougars went into the main break with a handy 28 point lead.
The third quarter stared with Souths booting the opening 2 goals in quick fashion and it looked as though the momentum of the game had started to change with Souths finding a way to get on the scoreboard. To the Cougars credit however they rallied and booted the next 3 to gain back their advantage and at the same time took the Souths home crowd out of the game. At the last break the cougars had opened up their advantage to 32 points.
A controversial free kick either side of the 3rd quarter break gave Souths some hope reducing the margin to 4 kicks but as they had done all day the Cougars answered with the next goal and when Heath Gniel snapped a goal over his shoulder late in the fourth the win belonged to the Cougars.
Souths midfield clearly won their battle all day with Sam Zilm and Matthew Waltisbuhl servicing the on ball combination of B. Behan and K. Webb throughout the game.
Alan Reilly was fantastic for the Cougars all day up forward and ended the game with 4 majors but in the eyes of many new recruit Chris Davis was University’s best player with a very consistent 4 quarter performance on the wing.
This result’s sees the end of the road for the once fancied Souths outfit while the Cougars move on the face the loser of this weekend’s Toowoomba Tigers Vs Warwick clash at Rockville Park.
Last Modified on 05/09/2011 10:12
