Birchip-Watchem v Wycheproof-Narraport
At their last meeting earlier in the year the Demons were celebrating their fifty year reunion of the amalgamation of the Wycheproof and Narraport clubs and unfortunately after leading all day were collared right on the siren to go down by two-points. In Saturday’s game at Birchip it was Birchip’s turn for celebration with the Birchip senior and reserve premiership teams of 1994 celebrating their double premiership success winning both the seniors and reserves.
Wycheproof-Narraport took full advantage of the wind in the opening term when they kicked out to a thirty three point lead at quarter time. Birchip-Watchem was held scoreless in the first quarter as the Demons continued to build on their impressive start and the Bulls could not buy a score. Ricky Allan was very effective around goals and stamped his authority on the game from the opening bounce. With A 33-point lead the Demons went to the huddle full of confidence and why not they had shown the Bulls a clean set of heels in setting up their big lead at the first break.
It was the Bulls turn to kick with the wind but they had a fair deficit to wipe-off to put themselves back in the game. Castellano got the show on the road with the first two goals of the second term as the Bulls continued to push forward and their constant pressure was reaping them the rewards. Driscoll and McNicol halted the Bulls scoring when they recorded major scores for the Demons to again have their lead go out to the thirty point mark. Deep into the quarter the Bulls rallied and were able to reduce the margin back through Noonan and Cusack but they couldn’t get their noise in front of the Demons and at half time they had wiped off a fair part of the Demons lead and only trailed by eight points at the long break.
Wycheproof-Narraport set about increasing the half time lead and were making good use of the wind and added a further four goals in the term to put themselves in a good position to cause an upset. With defeat starring them in the face the Birchip-Watchem side gave it one last spurt as the clock ticked towards the final break and in doing so were again able to put themselves within strike of their opposition before dropping their guard to allow Driscoll to extend the Demons lead to fifteen points with a quarter to play.
With a top four position on the line, Birchip-Watchem had to think positive and set their site on a better performance in the final quarter if they were going to get over a confident Wycheproof-Narraport combination. Castellano got the first goal of the final term and it wasn’t long before he was lining up for his second and all of a sudden the Bulls had drawn level with the Demons. The Bulls who had trailed all day finally hit the front when Simpson roved the pack and snapped truly. From this point on the Bulls took charge and finished the quarter with six goals to the Demons one goal and this was enough to get them a win and return them to the top four as they went on to record a sixteen point win. The Demons has been in a winning position on many occasions throughout the year only to see sides get over the top of them in the dying stages of their games.
Final scores Birchip-Watchem 15-5 = 95 def Wycheproof-Narraport 12-7=79
Best for the Bulls: D. Castellano, Z. Holmes, J. Cussack, S. Hogan, M. McConville and J. Barnard.
Goals: Castellano 8, J. Cussack, J. Noonan 2, rest singles.
Best for the Demons: J. Turner, S. Driscoll, R. Botheras, T. Keane, R. Allan and James Coatsworth.
Goals: R. Allan 5, S. Driscoll 3, K. McNicol 2, rest singles.
Wedderburn v Boort
Wedderburn were first to score in their match against Boort when Tonkin got full points after receiving a free kick. Boort pushed into their forward line but could not convert for full points, McHugh posted the Redbacks next goal and from the bounce the ball went into the Magpies forward line where Easton marked and brought up both flags. Wedderburn were kicking accurately and finished the quarter leading Boort by 21-points. Boort had one less scoring shot but the majority resulting in points.
In the second term it was all the Redbacks who outscored Boort eight goals to two with kicking two goals without the ball returning to the centre after a bit of push and show of strength from both sides the umpire awarded Chalkley a free and the Redbacks got two for the price of one. Barnes who had been held in the opening term broke free and kicked two goals in as many minutes to see the Redbacks kick clear to take thirty two point lead to the main break. Perry was solid down back for the home side and he and Bell turned every forward move by the Magpies back into the Redbacks attacking zone. Boort did manage two goals for the term both from the boot of Sam Taylor.
Boort produced their best football for the day in the third term but were still unable to restrain the Redbacks Barnes who kicked four goals for the quarter and was looking dangerous, even when he was being closely checked by the Wilson Brothers. Boort was using White in the ruck and this left them without a focal point up forward, as Easton was being well held by Perry. If the Magpies could have used White as a key forward then this would have produced some further scoring opportunities but would it have been enough to see them get closer to the powerful Redbacks combination. Wedderburn increased their 32-point lead at half time out to 83-points with a quarter to go.
The final term seen the sides virtually go goal for goal with Boort’s McAdam kicking three last quarter goals but his efforts to reduce the margin were in vain as the Redbacks who appeared to reduce the pressure they had applied in the first three terms allowing Boort a bit more freedom. Wedderburn ended the day with 11 players kicking goals with Barnes (8 goals) and Prime (5 Goals) being the main contributors with Chalkley slotting through three for the day. McAdam who was amongst the best for the Magpies was their leading goal kicker with three all in the last quarter. Wedderburn went on to record another big win by 90-points, for Boort they gave it their best shot but fell short and will need to win at least two of their remaining games if they are to play finals as this loss has cost them a place in the top four as the ladder now stands.
Final scores: Wedderburn 25-20= 170 def Boort 11-14 = 80
Best for Wedderburn: N. Bell, C. Perry, D. Gash, P. Prime, S. Barnes and A. Postle. Goals S. Barnes 8, P. Prime 5, A. Chalkley 3, B. Herdman 2, rest singles.
Best for Boort: A. Wilson, C. McAdam, S. Taylor, Jesse Smith, C. Millward and K. Wilson.
Goals : C. McAdam 3, S. Taylor and A. White 2, rest singles.
St Arnaud v Donald
St Arnaud got away to a better start than Donald and even though they were off target early they were able to establish a handy lead at quarter time to lead the Royal Blues by eighteen points. Nathan Coghlan was the Saints major goal scorer with two goals in the opening term. Donald took a while to get on the board and Seamus Young wasn’t letting the opportunity slip as he booted the first of his six goals for the day.
In the second quarter it was all St Arnaud as they continually pushed the ball into their forward line resulting in seven major and seven minor scores for the quarter. Donald were fairly well held and could only produce two goals to their tally and at half time trailed by 52-points and it was starting to look ugly.
Both sides produced some good football in the third term with thirteen goals being scored. Donald was good in this quarter and were able to match it with their more fancied opposition and to their credit while they didn’t reduce the Saints half time lead they were able to break even on the scoreboard to trail by the same margin with a quarter to be played. St Arnaud could and should have been a lot further in front at the last change but their inaccuracy in front of goal failed them. In each of the first three quarters the Saints kicked seven points for a tally of 21 at the last change.
Donald was restricted to just one last quarter goal and the Saints built on their lead to run out winners by 83-points. This win now has the Saints level on points with Charlton in their battle for the double chance. The Royal Blues chances of recording a win for the year is narrowing as they are down to just four chances with the home and away season quickly drawing to a close.
Final scores: St Arnaud 22-24=156 def Donald 11-7 = 73
Best for St Arnaud: J. McNamee, L. Cunningham, B. Palipauminni, A. McIntyre, T. Petrie, R. Wild.
Goals: Nathan Coghlan 4, J. Patching, A. Jesse, J. Tillig, D. Needs, N. Baldwin, Nick Coghlan 2, rest singles.
Best for Donald: G. Wyatt, B. Haddow, S. Young, W. McAllister, D. Pearce and S. Dunstan
Goals: S. Young 6, B. Haddow 2, rest singles.
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Next week
Donald v Charlton
Wedderburn v Birchip-Watchem
St Arnaud v Boort
Wycheproof-Narraport has the bye
Last Modified on 21/07/2014 12:15