It had been a wet and wild week, but fortunately when Saturday came around the weather had cleared and the sun came out. Thankfully the grounds were kept open, but Gore Hill Oval was extremely heavy for the Third Division clash against Wests.
The Bombers had a real dip early, and kicked the first two goals, but the Magpies steadied and the Bombers trailed by a goal at half time. But the heavy conditions made ball handling difficult, and it was hard work for our team. The Magpies kicked four unanswered goals for the quarter and at half time the Bombers trailed by 35 points.
The Bombers tried hard, but injuries eliminated our interchange options, and the Magpies were able to rotate fresh legs to run in the heavy conditions. The Bombers played better in the final quarter, but could manage only behinds for their efforts, and the final score showed the Bombers going down by 71 points.
Sunday in Wollongong was a glorious sunny day, and North Dalton Oval was in good shape for our three remaining games. First up was the Under 18s. It took a little while for the Bombers to hit their straps, but later in the quarter they took control of proceedings to lead by 17 points at quarter time. The second quarter was lower scoring, as Illawarra attempted to fight back, but the Bombers took a 10 point lead into the long break.
The Bombers steadied in the third term, and although their goalkicking radar sometimes let them down, the lead was stretched to 23 points at the last change. And it was one-way traffic in the final quarter, the Bombers adding four unanswered goals and could have scored more; as they cruised to a 48-point win.
First Division was next game, and the Bombers got off to a bright start with the first four goals of the game. The Lions fought back with two late goals to cut the margin to 11 points at the first change, but the Bombers quickly regained the initiative in the second term. Controlling the ball in the midfield, and presenting plenty of targets up forward, the Bombers scored five goals to one in the second term to extend the margin to 38 points at half time.
Illawarra came out firing after half time, with three quick goals. But the Bombers then managed to slow the Lion momentum, and slowly but surely re-assert themselves. The Lions were unable to add another goal after their early onslaught, but although the Bombers still lost the quarter, they held a 32 point lead at three-quarter time. And the floodgates opened in the final quarter, the Bombers in complete control of proceedings as the lead nearly doubled, finishing in a 55-point win for North Shore.
And then it was time for the Premier Division contest, with the Bombers looking for a win to consolidate their position in the top 5. The Bombers were getting plenty of the ball early, but some poor finishing prevented them getting reward for effort. There were some highlights, particularly a centre break which saw Teddy Strudwick score the opening behind of the game after just 10 seconds, and an amazing weave through traffic by Seb Paynter. But despite having had twice as many scoring shots in the first quarter, the Bombers trailed by a point at quarter time.
But the Bombers lifted in the second quarter. Not always getting sufficient reward for their efforts, but doing enough to get in front. The pace of Ben Attwood was a key factor, with a nice goal from the pocket and another run. David Martin in the ruck looked dangerous, while the Harry brothers were getting plenty of the ball. At half time the Bombers held an 18-point lead.
Everything looked to be going to plan when the Bombers scored two early goals, especially a booming 60 torp by Daniel Roberts. But the Bombers were unable to maintain their momentum as the Lions came storming back into the contest, scoring the last four goals of the quarter to cut the margin to just 7 points at the last change.
The Lions continued their onslaght in the last quarter, taking the lead and as the clock ticked into time on the Bombers were 9 points behind. But the Bombers never conveded, getting one goal back and as the clock ticked down in was a thriller. But cometh the hour, cometh the man - and the man was young Rory Pryor who scrambled the winning goal.
It wasn't pretty, but it was effective - a thrilling win and a morale-booster.
Last Modified on 09/01/2012 22:01