Men’s Division 3, MCCBendigo v Altona at Maiden Gully Rec Res 22 May 2021
After a great win against Camberwell, “The Team” were up against Altona. This round Altona had no teams in higher divisions on byes. This meant there were no players dropped to their Div 3 team.
It was a glorious day in Bendigo as well as Melbourne. The sun was out, and it was a pleasant day for playing lacrosse. A crowd of Bendigo ex-players and friends turned up to support and wish the players well. I must admit this was heart warning to see.
The Thursday night team selections showed that we had 14 players, 8 Bendigo and 6 MCC players. Although our regular goalkeeper was called up to man the cage for Div 1. Furthermore, our regular ref, Lester Young, was unavailable. Ian Lock drew the short straw to replace Lester as ref, as Gino Iuliano had to suit up in front of goals. Ian wasn’t keen, but in stepped Wookie (Mark Reader) and donned the zebra top. It was great to see Wookie wear Warhawk socks and Bendigo shorts, a definite club ref! Thanks mate, for helping the club out.
The Team fielded 13, 8 Bendigo and 5 MCC players, whilst Altona had 14.
The first quarter began well, especially when Alex Orr scored the first goal of the match. I can’t recall who passed the ball to him, but he made sure of the result. Then it was up and down the field a few times before Altona suddenly clicked into gear and speared 4 goals into the back MCCBendigo’s goal. There were three long shots, which Gino Iuliano couldn’t cover and another shot in close to goal. Gino pleaded to his defence to not give Altona’s attackers room to wind up. MCCBendigo were deflated as they went to the break 4 to 1, to Altona’s advantage.
During the quarter break, Altona requested to reduce the quarters to 15 minutes and MCCBendigo captains agreed to the reduction.
The second quarter started as the first quarter finished with Altona scoring, with two goals in any many minutes. It looked like Altona was going to run away with the match. However, MCCBendigo’s fortunes changed. Pat Guan and Russell Crofts started communicating with the middies and we won a few face offs or made it difficult for Altona getting fast breaks onto goal. The Team’s attackers were moving the ball quickly and space opened in the forward half. Alex, Matt Mellor, and Ian Lock scored successive goals. In turn MCCBendigo’s defence also started to gel, which caused a few turnovers. It was a new line up again, Space (Vaughn Comley) leading the D and Mike Bell holding firm at the goal crease while Jordan was looking after point. Both Mike and Jordan made their customary runs up ground. Gino was growing in confidence manning the cage. MCCBendigo won that quarter 3 goals to 2 and now were 2 goals down, Altona in front 6 goals to 4.
At the main break, the Team seemed to have a spring in their step. Was it that they believed they could make a go of it and won’t be blown out of the waters? The coach, Adam Burrows, had impressed the boys to be patient in front of goals but to keep the ball moving. He wanted the defence to keep doing what they were doing but wanted Jordan to play long pole midfield and Jarrod Topp-Lowe to play defence. This was to give Matt, Dylan, and Alex a break and increase long pole physical pressure on Altona’s centre/middies.
The team started the third quarter with a bang. Two goals and scores were even. A goal to Dylan Le Clercq via quick reactions by grabbing the ground ball from a scrimmage in front of Altona’s goal and slotted it home. The other goal came from a Gino’s clear from his goal crease to Jordan on the right wing to Alex running into goal.
Altona were still firing long shoots. However, a lucky shoot hit Gino chest, dropped to the ground, had spun, and rolled between his legs into goal. That was very unfortunate! For several more minutes, MCCBendigo’s D soaked up the Altona pressure but with some fluent passing the Team got another goal. This was due to Ron Lowe’s evasive skills, dodging and pirouetting through Altona’s defence.
This scenario continued, where the Team’s D foiled Altona’s attack for a few more minutes after the face off. Still, desperate defending and goal tendering saw the ball sail into Altona’s defence. Mike Bell ran into attack, while Jordan stayed in D. This allowed Mike to roam around in the attack half of the field. He was rewarded with an opportunity to score and he grabbed it. The Altona’s goal tenderer was deceived by the speed of the shoot. It was so slow that it bamboozled him!
That wasn’t the end of it, with a minute left in the quarter, MCCBendigo seemed to have stopped another attack on their goal. However, a back pass by foot from MCCBendigo’s defender to his goalkeeper saw an own goal. This meant the scores were 3 goal apiece for the quarter and Altona had a lead of 9 goals to 7 at the last break.
Adam implored the team to keep doing what it had been doing. The huddle moved to position once they chanted “Warhawks”. There were a few MCC boys questioning what was a Warhawk. The answer is…… it’s the Bendigo Lacrosse Team!
The D was keeping Altona at bay, as they circled MCCBendigo’s goal to place the final nail in its coffin. However, save great saves and misdirected shoots saw Gino keep a clean sheet for the quarter. Alex’s 4th gaol came with 10 minutes left on the clock and an Altona player in the sin bin. Adam called a time out, which was a very wise move. This was due to the procrastination of the ref to recommence the game and subsequently to stop Altona’s penalty running down. Further encouragement by Adam was given to all, stating that the Team was only one goal down and wanted everyone to focus.
Some opportunities went begging again but with 3 minutes left on the clock Adam called another time out. This time he made some personnel changes. Alex had another crack, but it was saved/deflexed by the Altona goalie. The Team regained possession, but time ran out with Altona winning the match by the solitary goal.
Imagine if the quarters were 20 minutes?
Even though the team lost, it was a great team effort by all and showed that MCCBendigo players will always fight to the end and never give up. The Team seemed to have fun and are improving with each match as individuals, and as a team.
Match Stats:
Scorers: 4 A Orr 1 B Nugent, I Lock, D Le Clercq, and M Bell
Assists: 1 B Nugent
Votes: A Orr, M Mellor, G Iuliano, with 2 association votes to A Orr.
A big special “Thank You” goes to the fantastic family and friends in assisting in making the event run smoothly. Paula Saxon for getting the kitchen and dressing rooms cleaned up last Thursday and washing the uniforms. Wookie for refereeing, Tracy O’Meara for scoring, Ross O’Meara for being the water carrier and Irene for setting up the kitchen and manning it.
Our next game is against Melbourne Uni at the Albert Ground and it’s MCC family day, where all their teams play at “The Albert”. It is a must win so we can level the ledger against Melb Uni and regain third position on the ladder.
Scribe
Gino Iuliano
Last Modified on 26/05/2021 15:18