The saints suffered a heartbreaking loss in the hands of
Wycheproof-Narraport on Saturday at Lord Nelson Park as they fell just 2 points
short in a shoot out which had scores within a couple of goals for most of the
match. Despite the efforts from the saints, lead by Daniel Needs who stated a 6
goal claim, were unable to post their second win for the season to become a
game clear of Birchip and Charlton.
Playing in his 150th senior game of St.Arnaud,
Mark Ciurleo lead the team out and played exceptional across the midfield and
backline.
During the early stages of the match, it looked to be the
demons to have the upper hand and the saints unable to match the speed of their
opposition. Through this, demons coach Marty Shadbolt started the scoring, only
to be matched by Lee Pollock. The demons kept control of the momentum as they
kicked their second, and a third shortly after. Needs got the saints firing
with two consecutive goals to level the score. But Wyche need the breathing
space as the first term lengthened and kick two more goals. Jacob Patching and
Adam Pollock were able to pull the margin back in but a very late goal put the
demons 9 points ahead at the conclusion of the first.
Quarter Time
St.Arnaud 5 0 30
Wyche 6 3 39
The saints
and Needs quickly jumped the demons in the second with consecutive goals to
give Needs his fourth. A goal to Tim Ross assisted the dees early to level the
scores, only to have the lead back in the hands of the saints, thanks to Torin
Petrie. But this was quickly diminished as the demons started to run all over
the saints. With players such as Joe Coatsworth and Boe Bish in the middle, and
Shadbolt, Wayne Mitrovic and Kieren Prestidge down forward, speed was in their
favour and they used it to their advantage. Prestidge was able to kick his
third, while Shadbolt and Declan Lourey were able to add to the scoring run.
But while looking down the barrel of the gun, the saints fought back late to
scramble to a 1 point deficit at the main break with goals to Patching and Mark
Ciurleo.
Half Time
St.Arnaud 10 4 64
Wyche 10 5 65
During the
main break, the saints were praised by Coach Egan, as their endeavour was
great, but to keep with a fast improving demons team, they needed to lift the
work rate.
And the
players listened well as they started the third term with full momentum. The
pressure around the ball and Wyche players forced many turnovers, but no major
score become of them. Wyche was able to take advantage though, with a goal to
Jerome Williams to get the score going again. But this only fired the saints up
and replied with an equalling major to Kenny Flanagan. They continued with the
pressure, but were struggling to convert with golden opportunities. This was
until Petrie emerged again to give the saints a small lead. It then seemed that
the demons found another gear as they had the urge to take back the lead going
into the final break. And that they did with two late goals to Mitrovic and
youngster Brock Bish.
Three
Quarter Time
St.Arnaud 12 8 80
Wyche 13 8 86
The last
quarter was expecting a blow away performance from the Wyche team, while the
saints looked on. But this was never the case as the determination in all
players was soaring along with the pressure. With the first goal in the quarter
to Wyche, the shootout began. The saints made a quick reply through Ciurleo and
then followed up with a fifth goal to captain Needs, who had been dominant all
day. Down by one point, the saints had to score to level or get ahead. But it
was Wyche who took action and had the demons with a vital 7 point lead forcing
the saints to convert with every opportunity. Leading by example, captain Needs
put through his sixth, with Petrie following suit for his third to grab the
lead. Wyche rebounded with another Ross goal and scores were level. Both teams
worked tirelessly to get even a point to break the dead lock. It was Wyche who
was able to work down and desperately rush through a single score. The gap
between the teams thickened as Wyche put through to more goals, with the game
seemingly in their hands and victory in sights. But the saints weren’t over,
and they weren’t giving up. The determination from all worked the ball down for
two very late goals to Fithall, but only to suffer to a heart break loss
shortly after as the siren sounded.
Full Time
St.Arnaud 18 9 117
Wyche 18 11 119
St Arnaud
Goal Kickers: D. Needs 6, T. Petrie 3, J.
Patching 2, A. Fithall 2, M. Ciurleo 2, K. Flanagan, L. Pollock, A. Pollock
Best Players: D. Pickthall, A. Pollock, D. Needs, T. Petrie, K.
Flanagan, A. Fithall
Wycheproof-Narraport
Goal Kickers: K. Prestidge 4, J. Coatsworth 3,
J. Williams 2, W. Mitrovic 2, T. Ross 2, M. Shadbolt 2, B. Bish 2, B.
Bish
Best Players: D. Lourey, J. White, W. Mitrovic, J. White, K.
Prestidge, J. Coatsworth
Last Modified on 01/06/2010 11:24