It was a glorious sunny day, and a historic day for the North Shore footy club; the day the lights were turned on at Gore Hill Oval.
The ground was bathed in sunshine as the Div 4 match against Manly got under way. The first quarter was an even contest, both sides scoring two goals and scores were level at the first change. In the second term, the Bombers went on the attack but could only manage behinds - 5 points for the quarter, while at the other end the Wolves scored three goals.
The Bombers found themselves trailing by 14 points at the long break. And the Bombers' inaccuracy would continue to plague them; and although the Bombers got a goal during the third term, they would find themselves stuck on 3.11 at the last change and trailing by 21 points. The Bombers continued to work hard in the last quarter, and managed four goals; but it wasn't enough to avoid defeat, with the final margin being 23 points.
The Under 18s were on next, and it wasn't the start the Bombers were looking for, as the Dragons burst out of the blocks with three quick goals. The Bombers were hanging in there, only down by nine points at quarter time; but the game threatened to blow out as the Dragons kicked away in the second term, leaving the Bombers 28 points in arrears at the long break.
The third quarter was delayed by a horrific injury, with the stretcher being called. But when play re-started, the Bombers galvanised; with a run of four unanswered goals to get the margin back to 15 points at the last change. And they kept coming, getting the margin back to 6 points. But they were never able to take the lead, the perils of catch-up footy taking its toll; as the Dragons steadied with the last three goals of the game.
It was a low-scoring opening to the Div 1 game, one goal apiece in the first quarter. And the tight and tough nature of the game continued in the second term, the lead see-sawing as two sides battled for supremacy which neither achieved. At the long break, the Bombers led by three points.
The lead continued to see-saw through the third quarter, several goals from both sides coming from 50 metre penalties. The Bombers led by three points at the last change, but the Dragons took the lead in the last quarter & the Bombers went down by 10 points.
By now, the shadows were lengthening, and a nice crowd had built, catching the last rays of the sun on the hill and getting their tickets for the $1,000 cash draw. The Premier Division, the final match of the day, was getting under way. The Dragons goaled in the opening minute, but the Bombers fought back with Danny Roberts bagging a double to give the Bombers a two-point quarter time lead.
The Bombers took the upper hand in the quarter, with five unanswered goals to open up a 30-point advantage. Danny Roberts was looking invincible up forward, and the midfield began to create mountains of opportunity. And the run continued in the third term as the Bombers opend up a 49-point advantage midway through the quarter.
The Dragons had a brief fightback late in the third term, with three quick goals to restore the margin to its half time level. With a 37-point lead at the last change, the Bombers were well placed but not home yet.
By then, the lights had taken over, the beer was flowing on the hill and the blockbuster crowd was in full voice. The Bombers were an unstoppable juggernaut in the last quarter, as they slammed on seven goals to two to open the final margin out to 71 points. Danny Roberts finished with six goals, while the last quarter saw some blistering bouncing runs culminating in goals to Sam Carruthers and Adrian Harry.
A great win for the Bombers, remaining undefeated after two rounds. If they play like they do today, they won't lose many at Fortress Gore Hill this season.
Last Modified on 13/04/2013 18:50