1ST DIVISION WIN TO CITY
With the words ‘a win’s a win’ sticking in the head, City’s defeat of Warners Bay at Bateau Bay in the round 7 clash won’t go down in the history books.
In almost a repeat of last week’s win over Cardiff, City’s 1st Division disposed of opposition in the first quarter with an 8 goal blitz, then put the queue in the rack ready for next week’s game. The week’s quarter by quarter scores to City saw 8-2, 3-2, 2-3 and 2-2 total 15-9 compared to last week’s 8-4, 4-3, 2-4 and 6-4 total 20-15. The difference this time around was that the opposition did not give in and finished very strong compared to City who finished with a whimper. If only the first quarter effort can be sustained then the season will work out very successfully for City.
Plenty of work in needed in the City player’s collective head space if it is to seriously take on ladder leaders Nelson Bay in next week’s clash.
As for this game, after a lot of phone contacts (thanks to Jon Janczuk), all but one of the lads turned up at the right ground at the right time due to venue and time changes from the wet weather earlier in the week. City were simply magnificent in the opening term with free flowing open play dominated by Ben Cornwall in the ruck supported by runners like Heath Robinson, Jimmy Drury and Damian McKendrick, Solid centre play by Mark Wheeler, forward targets Owen Dawes and Lucas Johnson working hard with crumbers shining being Jono Hamilton and Josh Dinnery. A 8-2 romp to the Dog’s 2 points was fantastic but seemed to again curse City for the rest of the game. Goals in the opening term to Dawes (2), Dinnery (2), Drury, J Hamilton, Travis Walls and Wheeler.
Against the breeze in the second term, City started pretty well getting a quick couple of goals on the board to Drury and Johnson before the Dogs got into gear. Brendon Weir was solid in defence repelling many plays with Cornwall again dominant, Ben Howarth getting involved, Jono Hamilton again chiming in with a handy goal. But the Dogs started to scratch their way back from oblivion, a sign of what was to come. Half time scores City 11-4 to Warners Bay 2-3.
City whimpered through the third term despite the breeze, the Dogs bottled up the spaces and had hard numbers at the ball. City’s number of contributors shrunk, thankfully J Hamilton, Cornwall, Drury Robertson and Weir kept pushing. The Dogs got more of a sniff outscoring City 3-3 to 2-3, City up 13-7 to 5-6 at the final break. Third term goals to J Hamilton and Johnson. Leigh Graham benched after a heavy knock to the head and Josh Dinnery being rolled really hard. Sign of the Dog’s rising efforts.
The Dogs really gave it to City in the final term - hard at the ball and relentless – something City really needs to work on. The Dogs had greater numbers at the ball, showing more determination and positive body language, whilst the City boy’s heads were down, talk was down, effort was down and the desire to win seemed to vanish. The Dogs finished all over City with a 4-5 to 2-2 term. Last term goals to J Hamilton and Damian Thompson. When the final siren sounded, the Dogs were happy with a fast finishing loss whilst City breathed a sign of relief and were very flat. Final scores City 15-6 99 to Warners Bay 9-11 65. A win’s a win.
City Goals to J Hamilton (4), Dawes (2), Dinnery (2), Drury (2), Johnson (2), Walls, Wheeler and Thompson.
City served best by Weir, Cornwall, Robertson, Drury, Jono Hamilton and McKendrick.
Bottom line – if City is to be serious about playing and winning the last game in September it needs to display more consistency, more hard work and more determination. Reliance on flashes of brilliance will not cut the mustard. Next week’s clash against ladder leaders Nelson Bay at No.1 will see where City is at.
Last Modified on 28/07/2013 10:40