by Chris Yeend, Midland Express/Macedon Ranges Guardian
Football practice matches took place over the past weekend with many clubs hitting the park for pre-season action.
HAWKS WIN TRENTHAM CUP
The Woodend/Hesket Football Netball Club has successfully taken home the prestigious Trentham Cup.
The Hawks fielded quality teams that took on the talented senior and junior football and netball teams from Kyneton and Trentham to eventually take home the cup with seven wins from eight matches played at Trentham on Saturday.
Kyneton won four games over the course of the day while Trentham took home one win, the first against Kyneton. It was Trentham's performance in the opening game that showed their true battling spirit.
The new and improved Kyneton jumped away to a three-goal lead, thanks to the efforts of Morgan Sheridan and Matt Law, before Trentham kicked five of the last six goals in a modified match format to take the win.
There was a great crowd in attendance to enjoy the action of modified games in football and netball and the Saints should be congratulated for their efforts in hosting the day. Woodend/Hesket also won the Leith Dicker Trophy to cap off a very successful day for the club.
OTHER PRACTICE MATCHES
Macedon v YCW at Tony Clarke Reserve - Saturday 16th March (night).
Reserves
Macedon 12.13 (85) defeated YCW 3.4 (22)
After the Under 18s played a scratch match with the few YCW junior players to start proceedings, the Macedon Reserves were determined to play a good four-quarter match. YCW missed a number of players with several Cats filling in.
Captain Nick Tierney was a stand-out of the game and there were good positives all round across all areas of the ground.
Seniors
Macedon 6.9, 9.13, 13.16, 17.18 (120) defeated YCW 1.0, 1.0, 2.0, 2.1 (13)
The Cats put in a fantastic performance against the Eagles from Bendigo. The night was cold, windy and rainy, a typical night in Macedon.
They played with great dominance early and gained the upper hand really well. Ash Fleming and Adam Cusworth proved to be very strong up forward while Jeremy Smith came of age with a great effort in the ruck.
The Cats utilised their backline to advantage with the likes of Tim Dettmann, Al Meldrum and Darren Goodwin playing loose at centre half-forward and countered all of YCW's forward thrusts.
Nick Arnold was arguably one of the great stand-outs of the match with some courageous marks and great switching of play in very slippery conditions.
Darren Goodwin was another great stand-out. Several of the YCW forwards commented that he was playing as though it was dry weather football with silky pick-ups and great use of disposal on both feet.
Josh Clough was the captain on the night and played quite well. He commented that the Cats are focused on playing a solid four-quarter performance and this was evident on the night. The Cats will look forward to another night clash this Saturday night at the Tony Clarke Reserve with matches starting at 3pm, 5pm and 7pm.
Riddell v Modewarre at Riddell - Saturday 16th March
The Bombers would be pleased with their efforts against the Bellarine Football Netball Club senior side. Moddawarre went down to Torquay in last year's preliminary final and were determined to make the most of a good hit-out against the Bombers. Jarryd Silvester finished with eight goals in a dominating display for the red and black. The Reserves played out a memorable draw.
Lancefield v Jacana
Lancefield faced off against Jacana and fielded two teams on the day. The seniors went down in a good hit-out against the former Riddell District Football Netball League side and there were plenty of positives to come from both teams.
Romsey v Werribee at Romsey
A number of players were missing from both teams across all three sides on the day. No scores were taken for any of the matches with all games played in great spirit. The Redbacks set their sights to Ballarat FNL club Bacchus Marsh this Saturday at Romsey Park.
JUNIORS
Woodend v Kyneton at Kyneton Showgrounds - Sunday 17th March
The Tigers played host to the RDFNL's Hawks in their annual pre-season matches at the Showgrounds. All matches were played in blustery conditions as the Tigers unveiled their new Under 12s team. All clubs can take a lot of positives. Full credit must go to Kyneton Football Netball Club president Cello Matricardi who umpired the last two games after the initial umpire withdrew on the morning of the match.
Under 12s
Kyneton 9.5 (59) defeated Woodend 7.4 (46)
Under 14s
Kyneton 2.0, 4.5, 6.7, 9.9 (63) defeated Woodend 2.4, 3.6, 6.11, 8.13 (61)
Under 16s
Woodend 5.5, 12.10, 15.11, 16.15 (111) defeated Kyneton 1.0, 1.1, 3.4, 4.6 (30)
See pictures from the weekend's matches on the Midland Express Facebook page or at the Midland Express website
Last Modified on 18/03/2013 20:04