Perfect weather has greeted the Bombers at Blacktown as the Bombers take on Wests.
The under 18s were first in action, and it didn't take long for the class of the young Bombers to come to the fore. Five unanswered goals in the first term set up a 34 point lead at the first change. The game tightened in the second term, which was a battle of the defences. The ball travelled from end to end, but both sides were breaking down around the half forward line. The Magpies scored the only goal of the quarter, reducing the Bombers' lead to 26 points at half time.
The pendulum swung the Bombers' way in the third term, with the midfield finding room to move and the forwards able to create more effective one-out marking contests. With a run of 5 goals to 1 for the quarter, the lead had blown out to 53 points at the last change.
With the match now safe, the Bombers were happy to put their cue in the rack and the Magpies won the final term. But the result, a win for the Bombers, maintains our Under 18s' side's grip on top spot on the ladder; and with just two weeks to go before the finals the fate of the minor premiership is in our hands.
Final Score - North Shore 13.12 (90) def Western Suburbs 7.7 (49)
The Bombers got off to a good start in the First Division match, and although it took some time for the Bombers to turn their run of possession into scoreboard pressure the margin was 24 points in the Bombers' favour at the long break.
After the resumption, the Magpies came out firing, winning both the third and fourth quarters. But despite some nervous moments at the end, with the Magpies throwing everything they had, the Bombers' defence was resolute and held on for an important victory that keeps the double-chance hopes alive.
Final Score - North Shore 8.11 (59) def Western Suburbs 6.15 (51)
The first quarter of the Premier Division match was a tight and tough affair, a battle of the defences in which the Bombers led by 8 points at the first change. But the second quarter saw the flow of play turn against the Bombers, with the Magpies' midfield assuming the ascendancy and their forward line taking advantage of their opportunity. A run of six goals to two for the quarter saw Wests leading by 22 points at the long break.
With early goals in the third term, it looked like Wests were crusing to victory. But the Bombers fought back, with two late goals on the run to Ben Attwood cutting he margin to 21 points at the last change.
Hopes of a comeback in the final quarter were quickly dashed with an early Wests goal, and from there it was merely a matter of playing out time. The Bombers did not score a goal for the quarter until after the siren, and it was too late by then.
The result, along with other results for the round, means North Shore's finals fate is known. The Bombers' Premier Division team will be playing in the Elimination Final in the first week and our opponents will be Pennant Hills. Next week's clash between the Bombers and the Demons will thus be an important test in preparation for the upcoming finals campaign.
Final Score - Western Suburbs 15.13 (103) lead North Shore 8.14 (62)
Last Modified on 24/02/2011 20:14