Under 18's: This top of the table clash promised to be an indicator as to who would be the favourite contender for higher honours later in the year. However, from the first bounce there was only one team in the contest with Portland simply dominating all facets of the game. All around the park, the visitors had too much strength and outmuscled their physically challenged opponents. As well, the Tigers moved the ball with laser like precision to set up nummerous scoring chances for their hungry forwards. It looked as if the game as a contest was all but over at the main break as the visitors had charged to a lead of 54 points and in doing so had kept Imperials goalless.
Imperials upped their intensity in the 3rd term and matched Portland in their scoring output. Not that Portland took their foot off the pedal-quite the reverse, with the conseqence that the standard of the game was very watchable. Swift link up by both sides saw the scoreboard attendants kept busy, but the wash up was that Portland maintained their lead during the 3rd quarter. It was a return to the 1st half as Portland again took complete control and set up a barrage of goals, whilst keeping Imperials to a very meagre scoring ration . The Tigers stomed to a big win, but it is fair to say that Imperials will be a vastly different proposition come finals time. Good players abounded, but those getting the mention were first gamer Jay Moody( and 9 goals to top it off ), Joel Mirtschin, Dylan Barr, Harry Warren, Jordan Kane and Dean Jones.
Final Scores: Portland 16-14=110
Imperials 3-5=23
Reserves :The visitors tore in to their task with much gusto and simply ran Imperials off their legs.Goals came at a rapid rate as the forwards had plenty of the ball and with accuracy a stheir weapon, Portland opened up a lead of 30 points at the the 1st changeover. Portland extended their lead during the 2nd term in a free flowing game that was highlighted by some reasonably good skills. IMperials launched an energetic assault in the 3rd term and pegged back the lead and coming into the final term, they looked some sort of chance. However the visitors had other ideas and they had the majority of play in this part of the game. Fitness worries caused both sides plenty of concern, but Portland had enough in reserve to get over the line by 48 points. A very welcome win and gives the Tigers a shot in the arm in the quest to play finals. Better players were listed as Jake Patterson, MIchael Carr, David Kennedy, Pat Mahon, Shaun Trenorden and Leigh Wiseman.
Final Scores: Portland 14-15=99
Imperials 8-3=51
Seniors : Portland had an early goal on the board, but Imperials took over control and set up waves of attacks.It wa s only inaccurate kicking for goal that prevented them from blowing the game completely apart. As it was, Imperials played the better football to edge to a slender lead at the 1st change. Their field disposal was proving to be superior to the visitors who were winning enough of the ball, but Portland's final delivery into the attacking zone was proving to be hugely inadequate. The game see-sawed through the 2nd term, with each side having their moments of ascendancy. Despite the ideal football conditions, the standard displayed didn't quite match the meteorological background. Again Portland's final delivery was below par and Imperials' lead of 6 points at half time was a fair reflection of the state of play.
The Tigers upped the energy in the 3rd term and using more precision with their disposal were able to slip out to an 11 point margin deep into the term. They maintained this advatage to the final changeover and the stage was set for another nerve jangling final quarter. However it was not a happy finale for the Tigers-the home side made most of the running in the dying stages of the match and despite nearly kicking themselves out of it, Imperials held for a deserved victory. In the near perfect conditions, Portland's skill level was found wanting at critical stages-the frequent inability of players to get to the front position and thus being outmarked in 1 on 1 marking contests, fumbling, the inability to hit targets and also the failure of players to penetrate with field kicking and shooting for goal was not of the level required to win cut throat games at this level. Obviously there is plenty to work on and the season still has plenty of potential. Portland did have some great performers, with Luke Van Heugten superb at full back, Denis O'Loughlin( improving form and fitness with each game ), Sam Fleming( toiled hard and was prominent all day ), Justin Van Heugten( solidin every contest ), Bryce Koenig( a youngster who has a fair crack and works hard on his skills ) and Tim Chester ( won plenty of the ball and contributed some valuable pieces of play ).
Final Scores: Portland 9-11=65
Imperials 8-24=72
Last Modified on 07/07/2012 18:52