Saturday dawned bright and sunny for North Shore's 4-header against UNSW-ES. It was an early start for the Under 18s, the ground still covered in dew for the 8:30 start.
The Bombers scored a goal in the opening minute, but it took them some time to really get going, and they led by 8 points at quarter time. But the midfield were on fire in the second half, the possession stats becoming increasingly lopsided as time and again the Bombers were getting the clearances. Some inaccurate finishing up forward meant the half time lead wasn't as much as the run of play indicated it should have been, but a 32-point lead at the long break was a handy buffer for the Bombers.
The third quarter was similar - the Bombers controlling proceedings around the ground but not fully taking control on the scoreboard. A 52-point lead to the Bombers at three-quarter time was a comfortable margin, but it could have been even more.
The Bombers had the game won, and put their cue back in the rack for the last quarter. The Bulldogs won the final term by 5 points, but a 47 point win for North Shore was a comfortable win - not a great game, but valuable competition points.
Next up was the Third Division match, our thirds playing against UNSW-ES for the second time in three weeks. ur thirds have had to work hard this season, and it was another hard ask against the Bulldogs. The Bombers did manage two goals in the first quarter, but trailed by 26 points at the first change. And it was a struggle to hold back the tide in the second term, as the Bulldogs scored 8 goals to one for the quarter; the Bombers 74 points in arrears at half time.
It was more of the same in the third term, the Bombers unable to match the speed of the Bulldogs as the margin blew out over three figures. The Bombers tried hard, and kept persevering all afternoon, but didn't have the firepower to match it with the Bulldogs; eventually going down by 159 points.
Then it was time for the First Division clash. The crowd was building, the alluring scent of the barbeque catering for the appetitites of the masses. The Bombers burst out of the blocks, but could only manage behinds early. Despite dominating around the ground, the Bombers could score only 2.6 and led by five points at quarter time. Again in the second quarter, the Bombers wasted some chances up forward. But the Bombers looked comfortable during the quarter before three late UNSW-ES goals cut the margin to 9 points at the long break.
Ironically, although the third quarter was more evenly contested, the Bombers increased their lead. Finding their goalkicking radar, the Bombers kicked 4.0 for the quarter, going to an 18-point lead at the last change.
With two early goals in the last quarter the Bulldogs threw out a challenge, but the Bombers stood their ground. Despite everything the Bulldogs would throw at the Bombers, the Bombers refused to concede, never letting the margin get closer than a kick. The clock ran down and the Bombers were victorious by nine points, the first run of back-to-back wins for our reserves this season; and a valuable result that keeps the Bombers within reach of the finals.
And then it was time for the big one, the Premier Division clash. The first quarter was tight and tough, neither side allowing the other any room to move, and there were plenty of numbers from both sides around the drop of the ball. But, although it was close, the Bombers retained the lead throughout the first quarter and led by 3 points at quarter time.
The Bulldogs took the lead early in the second term, but the Bombers would regain the advantage. It was another tight and uncompromising quarter of football. The Bombers suffered a blow during the quarter when Lachlan Pryor departed the scene injured. But the roller-coaster of emotion that was the second term took a turn for the better in the final minute with a strong running goal by Dale Fitzgerald that saw North Shore lead by 7 points at half time.
We had a close contest last week, and as the third quarter went on it became increasingly apparent that another thriller was unfolding. There were numerous lead changing during a captivating third quarter, the tension growing as the quarter progressed. At the last change the Bombers led by 4 points.
The Bulldogs hit the front early in the last, but the Bombers kicked the next three goals and were looking good. But the Bulldogs weren't finished yet, and two quick goals got the margin back to within a kick.
From end to end the ball travelled, but both sets of defences held firm. By now day was turning into night, the sun had set behind the western grandstand. But the voices of support from the crowd, and by the Bombers from their team-mates, pierced through the gloom and pointed the Bombers to the skies. The Bulldogs threw everything they had at the Bombers, but the defence never conceded. And finally, after what seemed an eternity on tenterhooks, the siren sounded and the contest was over.
A relief for the Bombers, twice in a row having fallen over the line by a kick. But, in the eternal words of Billy Ocean; when the going gets tough, the tough get going. And the Bombers have shown they have the toughness to compete under pressure, and are positioning themselves well to be there at the business end of the season.
Last Modified on 09/01/2012 22:03