By Brendan from Ballarat, courtesy www.scorpions.com.au
The wasteful Casey Scorpions took on North Ballarat at Eastern Oval, Ballarat on Sunday and despite a strong finish they were let down by poor kicking for goal in what was a scrappy affair for most of the day. As a result, they were left 16 points in arrears after giving the reigning premiers a major scare and despite dominating the final term with 3.7 to 0.2.
The Roosters started strongly using the advantage of the breeze well to open up a 31 point lead at quarter time. This was to prove the difference between the sides because when the Scorpions had their turn with breeze, they were shockingly inefficient.
In the second term, Casey entered the fifty metre arc 22 times during the second quarter for an inaccurate return of 4.8 while the home side made the most of their limited opportunities scoring four straight goals from eight entries (50%). As a result, the Roosters took a 23 point lead into the main break.
The Scorpions applied great pressure on North Ballarat but the home side made the most of their opportunities with the wind and, although they seemed to be tiring, they took a comfortable 39-point lead with them into the huddle at the final break.
Casey finished full of running and had all the play in the final term but their poor conversion in front of goal was to
prove costly again. This time the Scorpions went inside fifty metres 23 times in the last quarter for just 3.7 proving once again and it’s simply impossible to win games of football if you can't kick straight.
Mark Jamar was in good form in the ruck and around the ground and gave small men Matthews (21 kicks, 6 handballs) and Valenti (14 kicks, 9 handballs) plenty of the ball but not enough to set up sufficient major scores. Matthews is a little beauty and reminds me of a Jack Russell chasing a rabbit.
Alex Silvagni (12 kicks, 1 handball, 9 marks) was solid again down back and James Wall (13 kicks, 8 handball, 6 marks) was solid for the whole four quarters. Together they continued to lead the way for the Scorpions as they have been doing for much of the season to date. Lynden Dunn was strong at the clearances and Daniel Bell was hard at the ball in the middle.
The Scorpions may well live to rue the loss of two games in consecutive weeks brought about by poor kicking in front of the sticks. They need to apply more scoreboard pressure if they are to start winning and keep their finals hopes alive.
Casey Scorpions 2.3.15 6.11.47 8.13.61 11.20.86
North Ballarat 7.4.46 11.4.70 15.10.100 15.12.102
Goals
Casey Scorpions Bell Hughes 2 Cheney Jamar Jetta McGough Matthews Newton Wall
North Ballarat Smith 3 Driscoll 2 Jones 2 Richardson 2 Sewell Wundke Cartledge White Goodes Clifton
Best
Casey Scorpions Jamar Bell Wall Silvagni Valenti Dunn
North Ballarat Smith Moloney Garlett Stephenson Clifton Jones
The Casey Reserves opened the day with a flourish to take a comfortable 26 point lead at the first break and held onto it till half time. They then dominated the second half and eventually ran out 50 point winners. Ben Waite continued his run of good form providing a good target up forward and booting three goals.
Casey Scorpions 5.4.34 7.6.48 10.11.71 15.14.104
North Ballarat 1.2.8 3.4.22 3.10.28 7.12.54
Goals
Casey Scorpions Waite 3 Jurrah 2 Oldmeadow 2 Scanlon 2 Creed 2 Sykes Zomer Blaser McLeod
North Ballarat Radley 2 McMahon 2 Linke Bell Raworth
Best
Casey Scorpions Creed Lees Scanlon Blaser Spencer Waite
North Ballarat McMahon Beardsell Peters Hall Limb Niblett
Last Modified on 28/05/2009 10:36