The saints won their second game of the season and lifted
themselves from the bottom of the ladder. A well deserved win by the boys in
wet and windy conditions was hard fought through every quarter but prevailed by
31 points.
Liam Andison, a 14 year old player, debuted for the seniors
in a memorable day also for Bruce Hando, who ran out for his 200th
game for the St.Arnaud Football Club.
Birchip Watchem won the toss and kicked with the aid of the
strong northerly wind and quickly had the first goal on the board through
Walder. This was a battle between the bottom two sides on the ladder and it was
evident from the start that neither side wanted the dubious honour of holding
the bottom spot with players freely throwing their bodies into the packs in
very slippery conditions. The bulls registered the second goal through Wyatt
before the saints were able to push the ball forward into the wind for Needs to
put the first on the board. The saints intensity lifted realising it was
possible to score into the wind and when Notting and Needs added another two
goals, they had set a good foundation for a successful afternoon. Petrie was
dominating around the centre and Fithall and Soderman were providing plenty of
run around the ground and Needs was always looking dangerous up forward and
despite a late goal to Messer, the saints took the honours in the first
quarter.
Quarter Time
St.Arnaud 3 4 22
Birchip 3 2 20
Birchip recorded the first goal of the quarter to Messer
when a 50m for an undisciplined action by a St.Arnaud defender. The saints
entered the second quarter looking to build a handy break by half time but
after many forward moves resulting in points, things began to turn sour. The
bulls continually defended into the dead swimming pool pocket and strangely the
saints seemed to think that was the best way to goal. Messer kicked another
goal, and it seemed the saints were set to throw away another golden
opportunity. Fortunately goals to Needs and Coloe to end the quarter put the
saints back in front at the main change.
Half Time
St.Arnaud 5 8 38
Birchip 5 3 33
Bouyed by two late goals in the previous quarter and time to
regroup at half time the saints came out attacking against the wind and a goal
to Adam Pollock had them up and going. Again the intensity lifted and when a
pass by a Bulls defender across goal went straight to Soderman who kicked truly
the atmosphere in the saints camp was buzzing. Birchip were battling to make
use of the wind advantage until a goal to Walder followed by one each to Messer
and Bogan midway through the quarter finally gave them the lead only to have it
taken away again by a goal to Patching and followed up with another to Lee
Pollock. A late goal to Bogan reduced the saints lead to three points at three
quarter time but they were in perfect position to push for victory.
Three Quarter Time
St.Arnaud 9 9 63
Birchip 9 6 60
The last quarter opened up with both sides going in hard but
when Wild goaled followed by another Needs after a clever tap from Hando the
wind was taken from the Bulls sails. The saints were now firing with the finish
line in sight and another three goals to Needs rounded out a great victory in a
game which, baring the second quarter they used the ball very well in trying
conditions and thoroughly deserved their win.
Full Time
St.Arnaud 14 10 94
Birchip 9 9 63
St Arnaud
Goal Kickers: D. Needs 7, J. Patching , Z. Notting , L. Pollock ,
S. Coloe , L. Soderman , R. Wild , A. Pollock
Best Players: D. Needs, T. Petrie, L. Pollock, L. Soderman, L. Ezard, Z. Notting
Birchip-Watchem
Goal Kickers: P. Messer 4, A. Bogan 2, T. Walder 2, T. Wyatt
Best Players: J. FISHER, Z. Holmes, R. Lee, R. Koops, P. Messer, J. Blair
Last Modified on 12/07/2010 09:20