1st Grade – Belconnen Magpies beat Ainslie 52 to 42
We knew this game was going to be a hard and physical game like it always is. Belconnen started well in the first quarter with new player Daniel Posch giving us a great target down forward while kicking two goals and the backline players in Bennett, Henning and McAlister provided great run for the team.
The game became a stalemate as the ball couldnt get past each teams CHF line. It was going to come down to which team wanted it most. The last quarter the ball moved quickly around the ground but still no goals were being kicked. Finally Jennings was able to pin point a pass into our forward line which resulted in a Turnbull goal to ensure that Belconnen retain the Cock of the North Trophy. Congratualtion to first gamers Daniel Posch and Stephen Mielke who both made a great impact on the game.
Belconnen are sitting nicely in second position on the ladder and have a very important month ahead of them. Get behind the team this Sunday as they take on Tuggeranong
2nd Grade – Belconnen Magpies beat Ainslie 77 to 75
Belconnen Magpies had a good start with Rod Cowie as temporary coach for the start of the game in Adam’s absence with the Pies running the ball wall and converting opportunities to forge a seven goal lead by half time. In the second half the Magpies lacked the same commitment and enthusiasm to allow Ainslie to come back and get within a couple of goals at three quarter time. Ainslie came out hard in the last quarter and kicked the first couple of goals. The last quarter was a see sawing affair which eventually saw the pies maintain their 9 game season winning streak with a 2 point victory. Whilst the second half was disappointing in our application at times we did enough to get over the line but are looking for a better four quarter effort next week. Best players Mal Douglas, Craig Eckersley with six goals, Justin Hodder, Ruben Towill, Daniel Jordan.
3rd Grade – Belconnen Magpies beat Gungahlin 139 to 23
Belconnen faced their most recent nemesis in the Gungahlin Jets on Saturday that would see us at the half way mark of the season upon completion of the game. After a bye the week before, Collo alerted the players that he had concerns about their mental preparations stemming from below standard training on Friday night and preparations on Saturday morning. His observations were spot on, as the Pies struggled early with possession in conditions similar to an Antarctic blizzard. The Jets clearly adapted better to the windy conditions out at Ken Zimmer Oval, and seemed to retain possession a lot longer than the Pies could. Despite this, the Pies took a slim quarter time lead but were met with a disappointed coach clearly frustrated with his side’s inability to enter the forward 50m on more occasions. Some redemption was made in the second quarter, with six goals piled on in a breeze that really favoured no one as it blew across the ground. Unfortunately, the Jets scored 2 goals that were the result of limited pressure being applied by the Pies, something that was identified earlier in the season and had been improving for the past month. The 33 point lead at half time was definitely not the margin we were all hoping for prior to the game, given we were playing a team that had not won a game all season.
After the half time break the Pies really asserted themselves all over the ground, with five and eight goal quarters whilst holding Gungahlin goalless. The second half was a complete contrast to the first half, with the Pies controlling most passages of play and the extra commitment to each other enabled players to run and carry the football, thus penetrating the Gungahlin half back line that had caused a few head aches in the first half. A special mention must go to Bernie William’s goal in the pocket that I am sure not even he thought he could kick! Massive week this week with a chance to go up the ladder if we can defeat the Harman Hogs at Jamo Oval on Sunday. Harman are currently in second position and are coming off a one point loss to third placed ANU last week. If the 4th place Magpies can turn around the 10 goal first round loss to Harman this week, a top two spot in the finals will become a reality.
4th Grade – Belconnen Magpies beat Eastlake 64 to 59
Belconnen have not lost to Eastlake for a long time in Division 4. Sitting comfortably in second, five spots ahead of Eastlake on the ladder, it would be easy to think that the game would be just another easy 10 or 12 goal win. Seems that is what the team as a group thought as well. After a reasonable first quarter, which saw us go in with a three goal lead, the Pies dropped totally off the pace. There was no run, no talk, no support and limited pressure. Over the next two quarters the Pies managed to put on a massive one goal two behinds and watched as Eastlake dominated general play and, eventually, the scoreboard, building themselves back into the game and taking a 7 point lead into the last quarter. Last quarter saw a few of the senior players for the Pies lift and play 15 minutes of good football which got us over the line by 5 points. A nerve racking final 3 minutes with the ball locked in the Eastlake forward line was definitely not fun to be involved in.
Saying all that, days like Saturday are what makes the difference between being top 2 and also rans. Taking home the four points when we had no real right to show that we have a commitment and never say die attitude in the side – an attitude which should stand us in good stead come September. Best players for the day were Ben Sainsbury who was one of the only blokes who was willing to run and take on the opposition, Marcus Newbury who played a fantastic four quarter game, Jez Walker who is finding a niche in the backline and who really stood up in the last quarter and Michael Talevich who kicked four on the day including two clutch last quarter set shots.
Under 18’s lost to Ainslie 45 to 58
The Belconnen U18s fronted up to top side Ainslie on Saturday, in what was a very important opportunity to gain some ground on the competition leaders. The side started well kicking the first goal late in the first quarter. We had many opportunities to kick goals but we were unable to put any score pressure on our opponents. Shannon Goodsell once again worked tirelessly in the ruck and continues to play consistent football. Jordan Harper’s work rate was once again of a very high standard and was rewarded with 2 very good goals. Brad Posch, Andrew Courir and Albert Hogan once again all played well in defence and were pivotal in stopping many Ainslie forward attacks.
The Ainslie team had the better finishing skills than the Belconnen team and they continued to maintain a slender lead throughout the game. Some undisciplined play and poor kicking out from fullback resulted in crucial turnovers that resulted in forward momentum for our opponents. It was great to see David Wright make a come back after sustaining a broken wrist earlier in the season. We face bottom side Tuggers this weekend at Manuka in what gives us opportunity to restore some pride and to get back on the winners list.
Women’s Team lost to Ainslie 28 to 60
We played Ainslie in perfect conditions at Jamison Oval. We started well with the first goal but Ainslie played better football for the remainder of the quarter kicking 4 goals to 2. We were playing well but were slow to react when the ball was turned over and they took advantage. We tightened up in the second quarter and went into half time down 6 goals to 2. The third quarter was better as we kicked the only goal of the quarter but Gen Netting and Allison White spent time off the field with injuries. The last quarter was disappointing as we kicked the first goal and looked threatening but the players tired and Ainslie kicked the last goals of the game. There were some great performances on the day. Heather Anderson was brilliant making darting runs from deep in defence that got us into an attacking position. Amy Jason-Jones and Kate Gillespie were also terrific in defence. Kim Coventry and Elise O'Dea picked up plenty of possessions and kicked well. Allison White made her usual solid contribution across half back and in the centre. Gen Netting played a magnificent captain's game. She dominated their best player. Nicole Woods rucked tirelessly and picked up plenty of possessions. Trina Gallway, Karen Dunn and Jo Foster all worked hard in attack. Kate Chapman kicked 3 goals from limited opportunities. Michaela Costigan played a defensive role in attack and helped keep the ball in our forward line. It was disappointing to lose but there were plenty of positives from the game. We moved the ball beautifully at times but just couldn't finish off our good work.
Last Modified on 24/06/2010 10:31