In what seemed an impossible day to kick a high score, Box Hill Hawks somehow made it possible as Travis Noonan reports.
In was a wet and cold day at Box Hill City Oval and after last week’s similar conditions Box Hill supporters seemed to doubt whether the Hawks could do it.
North Ballarat began with a buzz kicking the first goal through Aaron Mullet. Box Hill’s first came through Jack Gunston with the tall forward on the board early. The Boys from 3WBC radio station summed up the first quarter perfectly saying that the skill level between both sides was great for wet weather football. Box Hill Hawks led 5.3.33 to North Ballarat’s 3.3.21.
In the second quarter North Ballarat started quickly with Matt Campbell running into what seemed an open goal but Patrick Lawlor mowed him down to deny the Roosters their fourth. Gunston kicked his third when he walked into an open goal and the hawks had the advantage. North Ballarat was under the pump and Gerard FitzGerald said ‘we aren’t communicating, we need to have a voice’. The Roosters turned the ball over multiple times in the defensive fifty resulting in multiple goals to the Hawks who created a buffer at half time leading 13.9.87 to 5.6.36.
North Ballarat got into some rhythm after the major change with Tom Curran kicking his first to open the third quarter. Their quick start was short lived as Gunston slotted home his fifth. Gunston quickly grabbed his sixth then big men Adam Pattinson and Broc McCauley combined to give Box Hill their 16th goal of the afternoon as they headed into the final term leading 16.11.107 to 7.8.50.
The last quarter saw Box Hill extend their lead and gain much needed percentage with 5 late goals to give them a 81 point win over the Roosters.
Both teams this weekend have a bye due to the state game.
Best from Box Hill: Gunston, Bruce, Lowden and McCauley.
Best from North Ballarat: Anthony, Couch, McKenzie and Searl.
Photo: Jenny Owens
Last Modified on 21/05/2012 11:36