Saturday morning at Gore Hill. All the leaves were brown, and the sky was grey. But for those going for a run on a winter's day, it was a day that our past history would be remembered; Back to Bears Day. The early arrivers at Gore Hill saw the Third Division match, with our thirds up against Saints AFC.
When the two sides met in the opening round of the season, the Bombers were unable to score a goal. But their improvement was shown when they scored two goals in the opening quarter. It was still tough going, our thirds being a couple of players short against the Saints' seniors. The players gave it their all, but being under-manned was a struggle that saw them trail by 25 points at quarter time and 49 points at half time.
The floodgates opened in the third term, as the Saints scored six goals while the Bombers were held scoreless. They were giving their best, but were outnumbered and it was a hard slog in slippery conditions as the deficit increased to 91 points at three-quarter time. And although there were highlights - some good bumps, good marks, moments of pressure - it wasn't enough to prevent the final margin from blowing out over three figures.
The Under 18s were up next, taking on Pennant Hills. But it was a slow start for the Bombers, conceding five goals in the first quarter to trail by 24 points at the first change. And the second quarter wasn't a great improvement, as the Bombers struggled to assert any form of control over the game and found themselves 32 points in arrears at the long break.
When the Demons kicked the first goal of the third quarter, the game looked to be drifting away. But late in the third term the Bombers sprang to life, controlling the midfield and sending it forward with penetrating accuracy. Four goals in the last seven minutes of the quarter reduced the margin to 15 points, and a contest was back on. But the three-quarter time break killed North Shore's momentum, and the Demons steadied, allowing the Bombers to get no closer. The final losing margin was 21 points.
By now the clubhouse had been transformed, decorated in black and red finery, with a premiership cup taking pride of place on the head table. A nice crowd was building, some much-loved representatives of our club in seasons past arriving back at their old footy home. The sun was breaking through the clouds, the threat of rain easing for the time being.
The First Division side was next in action. The first quarter was close, and tightly contested. One goal apiece for the quarter, and scores were level at quarter time. The second quarter was similar, with two evenly-matched teams contesting every possession in an absorbing contest. At the long break the Bombers were two points behind.
But whatever Damian Whittle said to his charges during the break had the desired effect, as the complexion of the game changed completely in the third quarter. The Bombers kicked the first seven goals of the quarter, finding targets and with plenty of drive out of defence and through the midfield. The arriving past players had lunch put on for them in the clubhouse, but the view looking out on the field would have pleased them during an inspirational premiership quarter.
The Bombers kept the pressure going during the final quarter, to record a well-earned 33 point victory. A valuable four points, keeping the reserves in the finals race.
And then it was time for the main game, the Premier Division fixture. The first quarter was evenly contested around the ground, but North Shore made better use of their opportunities. Going long to goals, Ted Strudwick and Brendan Fitzgerald landed long bombs from outside the 50 as the Bombers went out to a 17 point lead at the first change.
It was a tight and tough contest, always willing and sometimes spiteful. The Bombers had enough in reserve to take a narrow 4-point lead into the long break; after what had been an absorbing contest. And during the half time break, premiership flags were unfurled and an ever-growing list of past players were paraded on the arena.
But the third quarter didn't go to plan, as Pennant Hills lifted and scored four unanswered goals. The Bombers had their chances, but were unable to capitalise. And at the last change, the Bombers trailed by 17 points. And with four more goals to the Demons at the start of the final quarter, the margin blew out to 41 points and seemingly out of reach.
But the Bombers weren't going down without a fight. A stirring comeback in the final minutes saw the Bombers control the ball around the ground and find some winners up forward. Five goals in the final minutes turned what looked like a one-sided contest into a thriller, as the margin was cut by 11 points. But to steal the game was a bridge too far, the comeback left just too late, and the Demons were saved by the bell.
But it was an enjoyable day, well attended and with some strong representation particularly from our 1961, 1991 and 2001 premiership sides on this anniversary Back to Bears Day. We thank them for coming back and hope they enjoyed their return to their club.
Last Modified on 10/01/2012 13:13