Overcast skies and a heavy track have greeted us at Gore Hill as the Bombers take on UNSW-ES.
First up was the under 18s. Our young Bombers were well-drilled and performed strongly early, taking a 25 point lead into quarter time. And more of the same in the second, and although the Bulldogs attempted to fight their way back into the contest with a few goals, the Bombers had the answers to lead by 32 points at the long break.
The Bulldogs were determined to make their way back into the contest, but the Bombers held firm during the third term, with some good run through the midfield and accurate kicking for goal. By the final change the margin had extended to 41 points, and the Bombers were in control. And the floodgates opened in the final quarter, the Bombers in complete command. A run of 8 goals to 1 gave the young Bombers a good reward for effort, extending the final winning margin to 84 points.
Final Score North Shore 21.9 (135) def UNSW-ES 8.3 (51)
Into the reserves game, and it was a strong start for the Bombers. With Brock Hatton proving a handy target up forward to contribute the first three goals, the Bombers controlled the tempo of play and led by 23 points at the first change. The second quarter, in contrast with the first, was tighter and the high-scoring first quarter changed to a lower scoring second term. Both sides created chances, but broke down across the half forward line. But with the Bulldogs kicking 2 goals to 1 for hte quarter, the lead was back to 17 points at half time.
After the break the clouds dissipated and the sun came out; and the sun was shining on North Shore's prospects after a quick double to James Costi extended the Bombers' advantage. But it was to be a low-scoring quarter, only one more goal getting scored. But the bottom line was that the Bombers had added 3 unanswered goals for the quarter to lead by 35 points. And as was the case in the Under 18s, the Bulldogs' resistance was only able to last three quarters; and it was one-way traffic in the last quarter. A 6 goal return to the Bombers in the final term extended the final margin to 62 points.
Final Score North Shore 15.13 (103) def UNSW-ES 6.5 (41)
The seniors had a tough start against UNSW-ES. The ladder positions favoured the Bombers, but the Bulldogs had come to play and had a real dip early with the first two goals of the game. But the Bombers gradually steadied and worked their way back. Helped along by a double to Anthony Lowes, one off the end of a superb piece of coast-to-coast play by Chris Murphy, the Bombers regained the initiative to lead by 10 points at the first change.
The second quarter saw the Bombers play some of their best footy for the year, and the Bulldogs had no answers. Forcing turnovers, creating plenty of chances in a dominant display. Only inaccurate finishing prevented the margin from blowing out even further, but the Bulldogs were unable to score for the quarter. The Bombers scored 5.9 to lead by 49 points at the long break.
Early in the third term the Bombers looked set to go on with the job, but late in the quarter the intensity level lowered and the Bombers dropped their guard. The Bulldogs took advantage of the opportunity presented to them, kicking the last 4 goals of the quarter to cut the margin to 37 points at the last change. And fears of a Bulldog comeback grew when they scored another goal in the opening minute of the final term.
But it would be their last, as the Bombers lifted their game. After holding out the Bulldog forward surge, the Bombers moved the ball downfield, goals to Evan Davis and Russell Grigg swinging the momentum North Shore's way. And from there it was a matter of time; with the Bombers holding the ball in their forward line through the closing stages to record a 50 point win.
Final Score - North Shore 14.21 (105) lead UNSW-ES 8.7 (55)
Last Modified on 05/01/2011 20:13