Heavy overnight rain made Gore Hill Oval unplayable, and the decision was made to cancel the Third Division match. But at the Village Green, three matches went ahead; and fortunately the rain cleared and the sun emerged, although the ground surface was still a touch heavy.
A low-scoring opening term in the Under 18s saw the Bombers have most of the play, but could only manage one goal and leading by three points at quarter time. But they found their mojo in the second quarter, running hard, finding targets and achieving reward for effort. Six unanswered goals blew the margin out to 40 points at the long break.
Three goals apiece in the third term and with a 38-point lead at the last change the Bombers were looking safe. But their run had somehow slowed to a walk, and the Bombers were unable to find any momentum during the final quarter. Against all expectations the Bulldogs kicked the only six goals of the final quarter, and the lead was lost in the final minute. The Bombers had looked good in the second quarter, but were unable to maintain that form in the second half, being served a harsh reality check by the bottom side on the eve of the finals.
The First Division match was up next. The first quarter was tight, with the Bulldogs seven points ahead at quarter time. The Bombers fought back early in the second term to level the scores, but were unable to keep up as the Bulldogs stepped up later in the quarter. The Bombers found themselves 17 points in arrears at half time.
After a send-off, the Bombers were a player short for 15 minutes during the third quarter. But they worked hard during a low-scoring quarter, twice getting to within two goals; but the Bulldogs steadied both times and the quarter finished as it started with the Bombers 17 points behind.
The Bombers continued to fight all the way, putting the Bulldogs under pressure. It wasn't enough to win, the Bombers finishing 12 points short. But it was a good effort, finishing the season well.
And then it was time for the Premier Division match. It was a dour, low-scoring battle of the defences early, with the forwards being well contained. After conceding the first goal, the Bombers decided that going long was the best option, with Dale Fitzgerald and Lachy Pryor converting goals from well outside the 50m arc as the Bombers led by 11 points at quarter time.
The low-scoring nature of the game continued in the second quarter. The Bombers held the Bulldogs to a single goal in each quarter during the first half. A highlight of the second term was a run with four bounces through the centre by Ron Wason, but it didn't lead to a goal. The Bombers kicked two goals to one for the quarter, and led by 17 points at the long break.
There were nervous moments early in the third term when the Bulldogs kicked three goals in the blink of an eye to level the scores. But the Bombers weathered the storm, Ted Strudwick goaling from the pocket restoring the lead and then Lachlan Clancy from an even tighter angle scored another. The Bombers created plenty of chances, and although they missed several, they won the quarter and went to the last change with a 22-point advantage.
The Bombers shut the Bulldogs out of the contest in the final quarter, kicking the only three goals to record an easy 44-point win. But it was a victory that came at a price, with Lachy Pryor and Dale Fitzgerald going down injured during the final quarter. But the win gives us some momentum, ahead of the finals and our showdown with Pennant Hills next Sunday.
Last Modified on 21/01/2012 10:43