On Saturday afternoon a few of the boys got to Maiden Gully Rec Res early to prepare the ground for our first home ground of the season. The ground was set up and ready go by 1.30pm.
It was a waiting game for the rest of the Bendigo Boys to arrive and face the mighty Williamstown team. Williamstown boys arrived in their hire bus at 2.05pm, they were in a bit of a hurry to get changed and ready for the 2.30pm start. They had 16 players off load from the bus. However, Bendigo’s tenth and final player got to the ground at 2.15pm. Yes, Bendigo had five forced changes from the previous week due to: injury, sickness, death in the family, work and family commitments. Williamstown was willing to provide refs, scorers and players. Bendigo accepted scorers and a long pole defender as Gino was refereeing due to his injury.
The weather was sunny and warm but when the game started the clouds started rolling in and the temperature dropped to a comfortable playing level. Due to Williamstown’s sportsmanship, Bendigo had 1 player on the bench and the quarters were reduced from 20 to 15 minutes.
Marty Boyle played his first game for the season and he was a welcome addition to the backline. However, Williamstown played their usual game of ball movement with precision and speed. In no time they had four goals on the scoresheet. It seemed they had more but the Bendigo boys dug deep running up and down the field putting pressure on them especially Steve Everton, Vincent Fitzpatrick and Matt Muir. Ian Lock didn’t disappoint with his dodge and goal late in the quarter. The quarter finished with the scores 4 goals to 1 in favour of Williamstown.
The second quarter was very intriguing as Bendigo’s defence held strong by Tyrone and Marty with the assistance of the Willy Substitute player. All goals shot by Williamstown were hard fought. Mike received a few hits to the body which resulted in goals saved. Rusty took most of the centres with Joel helping when requested. Alex was his usual self, running in and sweeping up the centre face-offs which Rusty won regularly. On occasions timing was out between the Bendigo’s middies and centermen, but this was fatigue creeping in.
The middies rotated in the forward line and bench. It was great to hear Williamstown senior players shout “move the ball” as they were being held down and didn’t like that feeling of being restraint to two goals in that quarter. The scoresheet at half time read: Bendigo 1 to Williamstown 6.
The Bendigo men were tied but happy that they forced Williamstown players into errors and at the same time minimising Bendigo’s mistakes.
Did Bendigo poke the angry dog or not?
They sure did, with an eight goal to nil third quarter. Williamstown did not like the look of the scoresheet and they put their foot down on the pedal and let the ball rip into the back of goals a few times. If it wasn’t for Mike’s saves there could have been another 4 to 5 goals in that period.
The last quarter was looking the same with Williamstown placing another 6 goals. However, Alex continual running in midfield, attack and defence paid off. He was rewarded with a great solo goal which started from the rear of the cage. He received the ball, dodging three defenders and then wound up to let the ball rip into the back of the net from right in front of cage. It was strange, as this play seemed in slow motion except for the shoot on goal. The goalkeeper didn’t see the ball. I doubt if anyone sighted the ball. Bendigo last goal was also another solo effect by Joel Evans. Joel played in every position except for gaolie. His sole goal was just reward for a hard game played. The game finished with Williamstown running out convincing winners 20 goals to 3.
The ten Bendigo players fought a good game, they played hard, got battered and bruised but never gave up.
The club votes for Bendigo went to Mike Bell (3), for his goal tendering, Alex Orr (2) for his tireless running and effort on the ball and Steve Everton (1) an Alex clone in the making.
Our regular scribe John Webb will be back after the Bye for the Melbourne Uni game, which will be at home game.
Gino Iuliano
Treasurer
Last Modified on 19/05/2016 16:06