Boort v Wycheproof-Narraport
Wycheproof-Narraport set up their win over the Magpies in the first term when they made full use of the dry ball to slam on six goals to one in the opening quarter before the rain hit. Boort had no answers for the likes of Jones, Dillon and Bish who were the major players for the Demons and their good solid work resulted in the 30-point lead at the first break.
Boort made a better fist of it in this term when they restricted the Demons to just the one major while they posted three of their own and reduce the margin back to 17-points by the main break. Henningson and Lanyon started to get many possessions for the Magpies and this was a major concern for the Demons. With heavy rain falling over Boort Park the wet weather skills had to be dragged out of the bag as many of the players had not been faced with this type of weather for a long period of time, and it showed out and all welcomed the siren to send them to the rooms for a well-earned rest.
Without dominating the Demons were able to register two goals for the premiership quarter, which would see them extend their half time lead. Boort tried everything to counter the Demons but while they reduced their scoring opportunities they were unable to capitalise when the ball moved into their own forward line, they could only manage one –goal in shocking conditions and at the last change they trailed the Demons by 21 points.
With 30-minutes of footy to go Boort’s coach Rick Easton called on his team to rally and give it one last shot to grab victory, they responded by holding the Demons to just the one goal for the last quarter but on the plus side the Magpies put on three goals but it would not be enough to bridge the gap and at the final bell they fell short of the Demons tally by eight points, looking back the Demons opening quarter proved costly for the Magpies, this now sees the Magpies slip out of the top four and the Demons secure second spot, with their next meet being against the Saints, who at present sit just below them but have a superior percentage. For Boort they host the Bulls next week and will be hoping to get back on the winning list.
Final Scores: Wycheproof-Narraport 10-2=62 def Boort 8-6= 54
Best for Wycheproof-Narraport: Matt Dillon, Boe Bish, Corey Jones, Josh White, Jake White, Trevor Rumbold. Goals: Corey Jones 5, Dane McLennan 2, Ricky Allan, Jeremy Dixon, James Coatsworth 1 each.
Best for Boort; Michael Henningson, Jono Lanyon, Sam Dehne, Matt Hodoras, Rick Easton, Kieran Wilson. Goals: Matt Hodoras 2, Rick Easton, Jack Dehne, Davis Johnston, Sam Dehne, Michael Henningson & Matt Rice 1 each.
St Arnaud v Donald
In what would turn out to be a close encounter in the opening quarter the Saints would take a six point lead the first break. Donald had answered all the challenge’s put up by the Saints and neither side was shirking the issue and a good game under difficult conditions was on the cards. Coughlan was dominant up forward and if he was to continue this form for the entire game then the Royal Blues had a problem on their hands, as did the Saints at the other end with Blake grant being dangerous around goals.
Term two would see both sides hard at the ball with no favours given from either side. Scoring was even with both sides registering three goals. The Saints missed a couple of gettable chances and also racked up 5-points for the term but they did extend their lead out marginally from six-points to 10 at half time.
A goalless third quarter did no favours to the Royal Blues if they were going to take out this game, with playing conditions getting worse and the Saints building towards a winning score the Royals looked to have the job in front of them and at siren time they had slipped behind by 29-points and the chance of a win slipping real quick.
In the final quarter the Saints could have buried Donald but some bad kicking kept Donald in the contest. Donald could not capitalise on the Saints mistakes and while both side would kick two goals the Saints would run out winners by 34-points and move into third position on the ladder with next week’s encounter against the Demons to decide second spot on the ladder. Donald fall back in the race for a finals place and will need to regain some form to regain the race for some September action.
Final scores: St Arnaud 12-17=89 def Donald 8-7=55
Best for St Arnaud: J. McNamee, J. Chapman, L. Stewart, N. Coghlan, Z. Sullivan, J. Tillig and D. McGrath. Goals: N. Coghlan 6, J. Patching 2, J. McNamee, R. Tungatalum, Liam Cunningham & Lachlan Cunningham 1 each.
Best for Donald: Adam Baird, Will McAllister, Ross Funcke, Blake Grant, Darcy Harrison, Tom Bell. Goals: Blake Grant 4, Darcy Harrison 3, Brendan Jennings 1.
Birchip-Watchem v Wedderburn
The opening term started off in reasonable conditions before heavy rain invaded the playing area and covering the arena with many pools of that valuable stuff called water. Wedderburn used the dry ball well to register 3-4 for the opening term, two of their goals coming from young forward Jack McNamara, for the Bulls it was a different story, and while they had their fair use of the ball they could not buy a goal with 6-points being their score at the end of the first quarter.
In heavy conditions Wedderburn were able to outscore the Bulls who would go to the half time break still yet to bring up their first major. Wedderburn’s lead had extended to 28-points by half time with the bulls score being 8-points. Wedderburn’s McHugh and Polglase were stopping any forward moves from the Bulls side while the Bulls had good contributors for the first half in Gilla and Holmes.
In the third quarter Birchip-Watchem finally brought up their first goal of the game which brought the home crowd to life. Many forward moves went off target as their run of points continued, adding a further six in this term. Wedderburn matched the Bulls goals and at the last break held a four goal lead and under the trying conditions you would have thought at this point it would be sufficient to hold off the Bulls attempt at recording their first win.
The final term seen the visitors add a further two goals, both from the boot of leading goal kicker Sam Barnes. Birchip-Watchem recorded one goal kicked by Cam Postlewaite who delighted the crowd taking a screamer in very poor playing conditions. It was a credit to both sides that played the game in good spirit under very trying conditions; Wedderburn secured a 28-point win which would be good enough to move them into the top four for the first time since round one. Birchip-Watchem is not far off a win and sides that meet them in coming weeks will need to be on their metal or they may become the Bulls first victim.
Final scores Wedderburn 9-9=63 def Birchip-Watchem 3-17= 35
Best for Wedderburn: Liam McCarthy, Hayden Polglase, Cam Perry, Rohan McHugh, Danny Benaim and Sam Barnes. Goals: Sam Barnes 4, Jack McNamara, Ben DeAraugo 2, Jaran McKay 1.
Best for Birchip-Watchem: Terrence Gilla, Jacob Christie, Jake Noonan, Zac Holmes, Cam Taylor, Angus Grigg. Goals: Lachy Foott, Jake Hogan and Cam Postlewaite 1 each.
Next Week
Boort v Birchip-Watchem
Wycheproof-Narraport v St Arnaud
Wedderburn v Charlton
Donald has the bye.
Last Modified on 03/06/2013 14:18