Donvale opened with a goal, and some loose checking gave them several more chances but they failed to convert some easy chances. It took most of the quarter for Surrey to get going, but Mooney's long kick from a free resulted in a goal and the side started to apply more pressure and began moving the ball with more purpose. At the first break, we were only a kick.
Donvale again started strongly in the second quarter, not allowing our players to find space. Turnovers allowed Donvale to move the ball quickly and their bigger bodies and strong marking allowed them to pile on several unanswered goals. Some dashing play from Paul Collopy on the wing gave us a mark inside fifty, but the siren beat our attempt to goal.
Surrey began the second half with more purpose. A good mark to Rogers gave us our first goal since the first quarter. This was followed up by a good defensive mark from Nick Tanner and a great tackle from Mooney. For the first time Surrey were stringing together good possessions and we were forcing the ball forward more often with greater placement. When the ball split to Hauser, he snapped truly and we were giving some real competition. Donvale managed three quick goals, however, before James Marshall's long shot rolled through. In spite of a difficult first half, Surrey had won the third quarter narrowly.
Determined play in the last, with Hauser's latest entry for mark of the year followed by a goal from the set shot, great team efforts from Will Grant holding the ball in after being denied a mark and Box and Rogers combining for a great snap from the boundary for Rogers' second goal narrowed the gap to less than four goals. When Box dashed from the wing to find Rogers for his third goal, Surrey looked a real chance, but Donvale steadied once again and ran out winners by a comfortable margin. James Marshall's great determination, Ternes' presence around the ground and Bennett's defensive efforts were highlights for Surrey.
Final Score: Surrey Park 7-3 (45) to 13-12 (90)
Goal kickers: Rogers 3, Hauser 2, Marshall, Mooney
Last Modified on 29/04/2016 11:50