By NICK GALEA - Under-19 Division 2
NEWPORT Power have ended their home and away season in the best possible way and will go into their finals campaign in ominous form, after they established themselves as ladder leaders and premiership favourites in the Under-19 Division 2 competition.
The Power recorded a comfortable 31-point win over Albion at JR Parsons Reserve, 9.8. (62) to 4.7. (31).
Both sides were inaccurate early on as they each struggled with the intensity and pressure but it was Newport who made the most of their opportunities with Chehab El Dannawi and Ahmed Mesto scoring majors.
Albion's Deon Darhda and Bradley Kendall-Coyle had opportunities to close the gap, but pulled their shots wide leaving them down by 14-points at quarter-time.
Mitchell Taleb put Newport up by 22-points up midway through the second term, but Albion hit back with two goals in the last few minutes of the half through Nic Millar and Joel Bettin which saw them down by eight points, and going to into the main break with some momentum.
When Bradley Kendall-Coyle nailed his first, Albion were only two points behind, but Nazir Haddara immediately responded for Newport after he found some space to end a run of three consecutive Albion goals.
A crucial turnover at centre half-forward allowed Newport to escape the danger and rebound the ball into the hands of Jehad Haddara who kicked truly from 40 metres out to bring the margin back out to a two goal buffer. Albion persisted, but were down by 22-points at three-quarter-time.
Any chance of a comeback was snuffed out as Youssef El Hawli kicked his first of the day to put the Power up by 28-points.
Bradley Kendall-Coyle capped off a consistent game as he kicked a deserved second goal to give them hope, but Jehad Haddara and Waled Abdou cut off Albion's entries as they played loose down back to deny them.
Newport's best was Waled Abdou who read the play with ease, Thomas Beard; was strong down back and Nazir Haddara who slotted two goals.
Albion’s Cooper Muir was the dominant big man on the ground, Bradley Kendall-Coyle kicked two majors and Tyler Parkinson tried hard all game.
Both sides will play each other next week at Dempster Park on Saturday in the Second Semi Final as they look to secure a spot in the Under-19 Division 2 Grand Final.
The remaining finals match will be between Werribee Districts and Sanctuary Lakes also at Dempster Park on Sunday in the First Semi Final.
Last Modified on 16/08/2016 11:17