The 2012 U14 South Country Championships took place last weekend at Highfields AFC with all teams winning 1 of their 2 games played in the round robin format.
The opening game was between hosts the Darling Downs and traditional rivals Wide Bay. The Downs jumped out of the box well leading at every break and by 3 quarter time had opened up a handy 19 point lead. But the Wide Bay found their rhythm in the last term kicking the opening 3 goals to level scores with 1 minute remaining on the clock. A late snap to Darling Downs small forward Kale Ross sealed the win for the demons in the opening game 8.3.51 to 7.3.45
The second game had the Downs boys backing up against a fresh and eager Northern Rivers outfit. The first quarter was a real shootout with the Rivers booting 3 goals straight to the Downs 2 but the local boys couldn’t keep up with the run of the Northern Rivers who kicked away in the second term with 3 goals to nil opening up a 16 point lead at the half. While the DD boys tried harder than a Papa Giuseppe frozen pizza in the second half they couldn’t riel in the fresh River. Final score Northern Rivers 8.3.51 Darling Downs 4.5.29.
The final round robin game matched the Rivers against a rested Wide Bay and while many had the Rivers as clear favourites for the is game the Bay responded in stunning fashion by dominating the second half and running out 32 point winners 8.10.58 to 4.2.26 and in doing so opened up a percentage winning score to take the championships back to the Wide Bay for the second consecutive year.
Day 2 of the championships matched players against each other with all 3 teams being split in accordance of skill level. The opening game had Darling Downs representatives teaming up with the Dalby FC in a mixed game against the Northern Rivers / Wide Bay. While this game was a curtain raiser to the much anticipated possibles Vs probable’s game it proved to be the game of the day with both teams showcasing their talent and trading goals throughout the game. In the end the Rivers / Wide Bay combination prevailed by 2 goals in what was a terrific battle.
While the main game was also suspected to be a close encounter this was not the case as Graham Gale’s (Wide Bay coach) Probable’s gave Paul Jago’s (Northern Rivers coach) possibles a real football lesson in the opening half. The probable’s went in at half time with a 50 point advantage and kept their opposition goalless throughout the first half. A fight back from the possibles looked about as likely as a sasquatch sighting early in the second half with the probable’s booting the opening 2 goals of the third term but an inspiring speech from the possibles coaching staff at the last break kicked their team into gear as they outscored their opposition in the last quarter 3 goals to 2.
Overall the 2 day carnival was a great success and gave talent scouts from the Western Taipans, Gold Coast Stingrays and Sunshine Coast Power a great opportunity to observe the talent on display. Congratulations to Wide Bay on taking out their 2nd consecutive championships and to all teams on their spirit in which all games were played.
A big thank you goes to the Highfields AFC who provided a magnificent venue for the 2 day carnival and supported the event tremendously especially given that their club teams also competed over the weekend
Last Modified on 31/05/2012 14:38