In front of a big crowd and with both teams in form the game against Hurstbridge was set for another key battle for the Ben Friley Trophy. In wet conditions it was a tight contest but the Hillers gradually worked their way on top through the first two quarters to get a 2 goal buffer. As the rain came tumbling down in the second half the lead was maintained with the final margin 18 points in what was a momentous win for the Redbacks to set up the rest of this season. The Hillers are really starting to gel as a team with the new on-ballers including John Byron, Shane Hodgson and Benn Parker complementing the existing core players. Glenn McAuliffe held the backline together and Daniel Pratt was great in the ruck to get the ball down to his teammates, but the key player of the day was clearly Will Box who marked everything that came his way to prove he is one of the most valuable players in third division. The Hills are building some confidence now and will look forward to playing top of the table Reservoir at home after the Queens Birthday long weekend break
Hurstbridge 3.1 1.7 1.7 7.18 (60)
Panton Hill 3.4 3.3 3.3 11.12 (78)
GOALS:
Hurstbridge: Salvatore 3 Milne Jones Robinson Donnelly
Panton Hill: Oconnor 2 Hodgson 2 Byron Garrard Darcy-Molloy Haydock Fitzmaurice Parker Garrard
BEST:
Hurstbridge: Thomas Saw Salvatore Jellie Caldwell Richards
Panton Hill: Box Pratt Parker Byron Hodgson Mc Auliffe
RESERVES
The twos had a dirty day against Hurstbridge. Whilst injures meant that the side was undermanned in comparison to the few weeks prior, such an impact on the side’s impact and determination was not expected. Unfortunately there were too few Panton Hill players that stood up when it counted, and the result was a second half blow-out in which Hurstbridge ran riot. The match was not without positives for the Redbacks, with a hard-working Andy Miller best afield in the guts, while steady improvement over the past month from Tom Wells saw him earn a mention among the side’s top players for the week. After a week off the Hills are afforded some time to recuperate and focus on facing Reservoir at the home of the Redback.
Hurstbridge 3.5 5.3 9.4 22.19 (151)
Panton Hill 1.0 2.4 2.0 5.4 (34)
GOALS:
Hurstbridge: Websdale 5 Saw 4 Grant 4 Howlett 2 Brown 2 Nicholson Simondson Laoumtzis Kilkenny Haycraft
Panton Hill: Fisher 3 Constantine Poulton
BEST:
Hurstbridge: Duclos Saw Clarkson Duryea Websdale Grant
Panton Hill: Miller Collins Keen Wilson Wells Coffey
Last Modified on 30/09/2010 07:55