Saturday 23/6/07
Hay Park, Bunbury
Margaret River Hawks 7.6 (48) d Bunbury Marist 4.15 (39)
Played on the wide open windswept expanses of Bunbury's Hay Park in challenging conditions, Hawks won the toss and elected to kick into the ferocious wind for the first quarter.
Through a combination of determination and careful ball handling, combined with Marist inaccuracy at goal, Hawks outscored Marist 2.1 to 1.6 at quarter time. Marists only goal came from a free kick in front of goal near the end of the quarter
The second quarter saw Hawks fail to capitalize on the wind advantage. Marist played well into the wind and at half time the Hawks had increased their lead by only a goal.
At one point the ball not only went through the points but the wind took it another 100 metres over the fence, a dual lane road and into a front yard on the other side.
After a stern talk from coach Dave La Fontaine at half time, Hawks came out remotivated and again played well into the wind, increasing their lead slightly by ¾ time. Heavy rain from a squall that must have left Antarctica 5 minutes earlier made conditions difficult for players, umpires and spectators.
Each team scored 2 goals 1 point in the last quarter to hand Hawks a well deserved win. Interestingly both teams played better into what should have been a 5 goal per quarter wind and neither team managed to use the conditions to break the game open.
On a day when it was difficult for any players to stand out and display skills, coaches' awards went to Tristan Fairey, Mitchell Ellis, Dylan Wray and Jaye Uhd.
Hawks are now top of the ladder and are building team spirit each week.
This Saturday come and see them take on Busselton at Margaret River Oval (Gloucester Park) at 3pm.
Bob Scott
Last Modified on 11/04/2008 23:14