Victorian Women’s Football League – Premier Division Berwick v St Kilda - Rd 4
By Sarah Manton
The Berwick Hawks held off a gallant third quarter revival from St Kilda to register their first win for the season at the Coburg City oval on Saturday. Completely dominating in the first half of game, Berwick momentarily lost momentum in the third stanza, but were able to hold off their opponents in the last to eventually run away with a much needed sixty point victory. The 13.23.101 to 6.5.41 result has moved Berwick from the bottom of the ladder; a game clear of the Sharks who are unfortunately still yet to claim four points.
The Hawks started the match aggressively, but in a trend that was to be indicative over the course of the afternoon they wasted their early opportunities in front of goal and were unable to register their first major until the seven minute mark through Samantha Carlton.
Berwick’s Bianca Jakobsson and Corrine Cullis helped their team find avenues to goal, but after more multiple missed chances to score majors the Hawks finally registered their second goal through Stephanie Cutting. St Kilda’s defence were forced to work over time in the first quarter but despite the determined efforts of Tammy Norquay, Jessica Humphries and Alexandra Vanderwaal they were unable to restrict Berwick’s attacking onslaught and a third goal to Stephanie Brown pushed the Hawks further in front, and at the first break they led their scoreless opponents by a handy 27 points.
The second term was reflective of the first with the Hawks dominating play and rattling their opponents. With strong running and tacking by Michaela Manning, Romy Timmins and Ashleigh Pennell, Berwick forced the majority of play in their attacking half. St Kilda’s Claire Heffernan, Keryn Ralph and Claire Bourdon were battling hard in the backline, but despite their best efforts consecutive goals to Cutting and Georgie Punton propelled the Hawks further in front.
St Kilda finally broke their scoring drought with a goal to Jess Gardner half way through the term, but Berwick were too strong around the ground and despite more missed goal opportunities the Hawks had increased their lead to 39 points.
The third quarter was a reversal of fortunes for the Sharks who came out firing at the start of the second half. With Catherine Hansen creating run in the centre and Reannah Marino strong in defence the St Kilda side were finally able to penetrate their forward line and make an impression on the score board. Three quick goals to Zoe Manning in the first part of the term saw them back in the hunt and the St Kilda players confidence soaring. With a renewed enthusiasm the game tightened up in the stoppages and a real contest evolved.
Berwick regrouped to kick two replying goals through Charles and Timmins, but it was St Kilda’s term and late goals to Gardner and Cassandra Stanley saw the Sharks reduce the deficit to 20 points going into the final break.
Berwick found their feet again in the last and an exceptional quarter by ruck Ashleigh Fennell reignited her side. With Fennell and Brown contributing two goals apiece and singles to Michaela Manning, Brown and Carlson, the Hawks contributed six majors to a mere point by their opponent to eventually run out 60 point victors.
Berwick coach and ex-AFL player Shaun Smith was proud of his player’s ability to regroup in the last term and is continually impressed by the endeavour, courage and dedication that his girls continually showed.
“Being involved in women’s football has opened my eyes up to the talent of women’s football, it’s true, genuine football. The girls don’t stage free kicks, they just play football and it is football in its purest form,” Smith stated.
“Our game this week was good but the third quarter was really disappointing, we haven’t won a game up until now but we have played three of the top sides and we have been playing really, really well, but our third quarter this week was probably the worst we have played all season.
“I’m not one to rant and rave, but I did a bit of that at three quarter time, but I was proud of the girls, they rallied and came back. They were so courageous and tough and their commitment always blows me away.
“They showed a lot of character in that last quarter and hopefully it will keep us in good stead moving forward in the season, but I’m really happy and proud of how the girls have performed over the last month.”
Next week, Berwick will take on Scoresby in their round five clash at Edwin Flack Reserve on Sunday and St Kilda will attempt to achieve their first win for the season when they take on Melbourne University at Peanut Farm Reserve.
Berwick 3.9, 5.15, 7.18, 13.23 (101)
St Kilda 0.0, 1.0, 6.4, 6.5 (41)
GOALS, Berwick : Stephanie Brown 3, Stephanie Cutting 2, Samantha Carlson 2, Ashleigh Fennell 2, Romy Timmins 1, Michaela Manning 1, Bianca Jakobsson 1, Cherie Charles 1
St Kilda : Zoe Manning 3, Jess Gardner 2, Cassandra Stanley 1
BEST, Berwick : Ashleigh Fennell, Georgia Punton, Bianca Jakobsson, Stephanie Brown, Samantha Dobson, Amanda Turner
St Kilda : Alex Vanderwaal, Claire Bourdon, Zoe Manning, Jess Gardner, Annette Arzoumanian, Claire Heffernan
Last Modified on 14/01/2013 17:21