A Message to all treams from president, John Rix
Well done to all teams that played at Greygums on the weekend. Congratulations to both the Under 12's Whites and the Under 16's on their convincing wins and also to the Under 12's Black side on a fantastic season. They all did the club proud.
Match Results
Under 12's White 16.8-104 def Blue Mountains Kangaroos 2.6-18
Under 12's Black 2.12-24 def by St Clair Crows 4.3-27
Under 16's 13.13-91 def Nor-West Jets 6.7-43.
Match Reports
Under 16's by Paul Hocking (Manager)
On a windy and warm afternoon at Grey Gums Oval, the Lions took on the plucky Norwest Jets in the preliminary final to decide who would take on the Razorbacks in the Grand Final at BOP next Saturday. The Lions had Dan – still with his cast on, Nich H. and Bob running water but they were joined by “Gordo” Howell from last years U16’s. Running into the wind, the Lions started the game knowing that this was do or die for their season.
The first quarter was a tough affair as the north - westerly wind blew kicks out on the full or way over or under their intended marks. The Jets scored a quick goal but then due to some solid defence, it took them another 10 mins before they scored their second. The Lions began to run and kick the ball more responsibly and it wasn’t long before they got on the board. Alex H. got a good kick away which was picked up by David who hand-passed to Hayden who hand-passed to Ben who kicked the goal. Another goal to the Jets and it was a case of how much was this wind worth? The Lions replied with good pressure in their attacking 50 with kicks going across the face of goal. Michael picked up a good mark and then guided the ball through from near the point post with a very clever kick. The Lions were quietly confident as they finished only 1 goal behind at the end of the quarter.
Now running with the wind, the Lions started tentatively kicking a few behinds as they tried to “guide” the ball between the big sticks. Ben scored 2 goals for the quarter, one from a free kick in trying to hold him without the ball, while Rick kicked long (over 50 metres) to a vacant goal square for the ball to bounce through. With the fullback sending long kicks over the sideline untouched, Ben took advantage of the free kick and bombed to the goal square for David to snare a good mark. He kicked our fourth goal of the quarter but then the Jets got one back. The half time score was the Lions 6 – 5 – 41 to the Jets 4 – 4 – 28.
Turning into the wind, the Lions realised they must not let the Jets get too many goals so their last quarter would be a winning one. The Lions won the centre and our “go-to” man – Ben took an absolute screamer of a mark 20 metres from goal. He kicked true to give the Lions the perfect start. The Jets kicked the next goal, but then Jackson kicked true for Rick to mark and run on who then kicked to Ben who then ran on to kick a decisive goal. Ben was in the action again as he kicked long to the goal square for Rick to easily goal. The Lions defence was the key though, allowing the Jets with a howling wind behind them to kick only one goal. Turning with the wind for home, the Lions lead 9 – 8 – 62 to the Jets 5 – 5 – 35.
The Lions faced a determined Jets in the last quarter as they threw everything into the contest. A high shot on Jeremy allowed him to kick true for a goal, but then the wind played havoc again as the Jets kicked out from their goal square over the sideline. James took the free-kick and lobbed it into the goal square for Ben to mark and score his 6th goal of the day. The Jets then tried to take Blake out of the game with a bump after being awarded the mark. He got an extra fifty metres which allowed him to kick true. Finally, after hitting the post and missing the goals twice before, Alex H. ran onto a bouncing ball to kick true for the last Lions goal – just before the final siren. It was the Lions into the Grand Final 13 – 13 – 91 to the Jets 6 – 7 – 42.
Awards will wait for next week as we now focus on a Grand-Final against the Razorbacks at Blacktown Olympic Park which should start at 4:30pm next Saturday. Check the Lions website closer to the date for confirmation of time. Destiny is now in the Lions hands as we head towards a hard-fought but in many ways a deserved premiership.
Last Modified on 31/08/2009 07:44
