It had been an exceptionally warm winter week in Sydney, and by the time Friday night rolled around, Henson Park was looking a treat for the Premier Division match against Balmain.
The Bombers started brightly, three goals in the first five minutes an explosive beginning to the match. But early appearances were deceptive; as the Bombers lost ruckman David Martin to injury early and Balmain steadied. The Bombers were unable to hold onto their early lead, scores having been levelled before time on and two late Balmain goals saw the Bombers trail by 12 points at the first change.
The second quarter was not what the Bombers wanted, as they were unable to score a goal against relentless Balmain pressure. The Dockers boast several former Swans among their ranks, and North Shore were unable to put them under enough pressure. The Dockers scored five goals in the second term, seeing the Bombers 45 points in arrears at the long break.
The game tightened up in the third term as the Bombers worked to stop the bleeding of goals. The Bombers tried hard, but a rising injury list was taking its toll. Dale Fitzgerald finally broke the goal drought late in the quarter, but it wasn't enough to prevent Balmain winning the quarter, and the Bombers trailed by 52 at the last change. It just wasn't our night, and didn't get any better in the final quarter as the losing margin was extended to 78 points.
Twilight at Macquarie Uni on Saturday saw the thirds in action against Macquarie Uni. Competing hard early, putting the Warriors under pressure, the Bombers took a shock 4-point lead into quarter time. But it was a bridge too far to maintain that intensity through the whole game. The Warriors took the lead in the second quarter and the Bombers trailed by 16 points at half time. And the floodgates opened after half time, and although the Bombers gave their all they were unable to prevent the scoreboard blowing out as the deficit extended to 37 points at the last change and finishing with an 82-point defeat.
Next up the reserves were in action against Macquarie Uni's seniors, and it was an evenly-contested first half. It was low-scoring, tight, hard contested footy. The Bombers trailed by two points at the first change, but fought back to take a 4-point lead into half time.
The uncompromising football contined in the third term, another battle of the defences in which only one goal apiece was scored. At the last change, the Bombers held a narrow 6-point lead; and a thrilling finish was in prospect. It had been an arm-wrestle all evening, a cliff-hanger in which the lead would change several times. But unfortunately it wouldn't be the Bombers with the lead when the final siren sounded. A free kick in the goal square with five minutes to go handed the Warriors the lead; and a late scramble to find a winning goal in the final seconds saw the ball sail agonisingly wide; and the Bombers went down by just four points.
Overnight rain made for slippery conditions at Riverview for the Under 18s on Sunday, although thankfully the weather had cleared and the sun shone down brightly. Tricky conditions made for some errors in play, but the Bombers got enough of the ball to record a 16-point lead at the first change. Riverview threatened to get on top in the second term, with three quick goals; but the Bombers then applied more pressure to halt their momentum and ensure they would retain the lead, the advantage being nine points at the long break.
Riverview scored early in the third term, and the contest was an arm-wrestle, a tightly-contested battle for supremacy. The ball travelled from end to end, but both sides' defences held firm until late in the quarter. But two goals in the final three minutes swung the quarter North Shore's way, and a 16-point lead at three quarter time.
And the momentum continued in the final quarter, the Bombers finishing full of running to complete a 50-point win, an important result in the count-down to the finals; with a top three position now close to assured.
Last Modified on 10/01/2012 13:14