The Inverell Saints have won back to back games for the first time in 2011 with a hard fought 18 point victory over the Gunnedah Bulldogs on Saturday at Varley Oval. The win sees the Saints enter the top 4 and puts a handy 2 game buffer between themselves and the chasers into the finals.
The match started in perfect footy weather and the Saints start was equally impressive, booting 3 quick goals to open up an early lead. However, as would be the case all day, the Bulldogs responded and went on a run themselves to be down by only a straight kick at the first change.
The second quarter became an arm wrestle as both teams attacked the footy with vigor. The Saints were again first on the scoreboard but still the Dogs refused to give in. Only some brilliant play from Mick Corcoran and Chirs Whitton kept the Saints in front at the long break, with a lead of 14 points.
The message to the Saints at half time was to improve the team things and they responded with one of their better quarters of footy this season. They rattled of 5 quick goals and restricted the Dogs to just 2 majors in the quarter. The highlight of the quarter was a great boundary line goal from Whitton and what would have been goal of the year from Bruce Wall who managed to snap a goal from beyond the boundary line. The margin at the last change stood at 39 points.
The final quarter saw the Saints take the foot off the pedal and allow the Dogs back into the game with some soft goals and lacklustre defending. Despite the best efforts of the Saints boys, they couldn't stem the flow of the Dogs runners which left the final margin at 18 points.
Corcoran and Whitton were amongst the Saints best, with Mike Gould again impressing and veteran Matt Harrison strong at the back as always. Joe Kimmince and Justin Pay did a great job nullifying Sam Naismith in the middle and Darren Pithers had another strong game. Whitton lead the goalkickers with 5 whilst Gary Hadland booted 4.
The Saints now prepare for the longest road trip in football when they head to Muswellbrook to face the Cats next weekend.
Last Modified on 28/06/2011 10:06