Division 3 men’s, Altona vs Bendigo at Maiden Gully.
Another pleasant afternoon in Maiden Gully, after really horrible weather on Friday. It’s been a good winter for playing lacrosse, almost charmed (though farmers up north would beg to differ) and the ground is still without mud going into August. Nice.
The Warhawks fielded 13 players, while Altona arrived with 12. Gino and Lester swapped roles from previous weeks, and Lester donned ref’s gear once again and Gino suited up to resume goalie duty.
The game began with Bendigo fired up, winning in the centre and midfield, and valuing possession and looking dangerous in attack. They were able to quickly get on the scoresheet. Five players scored goals in the first quarter, and there were plenty of other missed opportunities. I think it’s the best start they’ve had all year. Mason Matheson drove on goal in customary fashion and shot true, Ian lock took on the Altona backline and found a gap, Alex Orr took a pass from behind goal and snuck one in, John Webb had some luck when a pass to Ian Lock on the crease, missed his stick and bounced, lifting on a tussock and coming to his stick at a convenient height to catch and pop into the goal (the goalie had completely lost sight of the ball in flight and was elsewhere), and finally, Tim Davis evaded the attentions of the Altona defence and let rip with a trademark wild, long-stick shot (that always sends the right-side back Bendigo forward sprinting for the rear boundary) that beat the goalie.
At the other end, Altona used a handy father-and-son combo to put in two goals, giving us a 5-2 score line at the first break.
After drinks, the Warhawks seemed to back off a bit and the crisp passing and player movement of the first quarter dropped off somewhat and transition out of defence became messy and defenders tended to try to run the ball out rather than look for easy passes, which gave the Altona side more opportunity to turn the ball over. Bendigo were only able to trouble the scorers twice, with another drive and shot from Mason Matheson proving successful and Alex Orr beating the goalie to take us to seven, while Altona put in one more for the term to take them to three at half time.
In the third period, the Altona side were able to hold the ball longer in attack, while the Warhawks tended to squander possession on individual efforts under pressure that didn’t come off, rather than looking for that extra pass to a free player. Both sides were only able to add a goal each, with Bendigo finding a way to goal through a good Webb pass (I have to say that; the refs aren’t calling assists much any more) that Ian Lock managed to take a shot from before being dumped hard onto the turf by a big Altona back (we wonder often how Ian keeps getting up). It was now 8 to 4 with a quarter to play.
Feeling began to run high, mainly between the Griffin brothers, who were playing on opposite teams. The display of brotherly love intensified through the last quarter, as did the personal foul count for both. It brings a tear to the eye, to see that special fraternal bond expressed with such emotion.
Sadly, the scoring dried up for the Warhawks in the last, as the intensity and ball movement went out of their clearing from defence and also their attack play and the Altona defence now found themselves able to hold Bendigo scoreless for the rest of the game. However, Altona slotted one more, giving them a win for the quarter, but nonetheless; a victory to Bendigo: 8-5.
A good win, though I would say that if Bendigo gets a lead, they tend to try to defend it, rather than try to build on it and bury the opposition. That’s just confidence, I suppose, and having the discipline to stick to possession and team play when holding off a come-back.
Votes were given to Wookie (3 club and 3 Association) for a great day in defence, controlling the backline when Altona put in spirited efforts to score and coming up with the ball time and time again. Alex Orr was given 2 club votes and one Association vote for his endeavour all over the ground, and I should mention that he got two assists as well as his two goals. Tim Davis was given a single club vote for his great efforts with a long-stick, giving us pace and aggression against the younger, faster attackers.
Thanks to Tracy O’Meara for scoring for us, and to Lester Young for reffing.
Next week, we take on Williamstown at Willy. It won’t be an easy one, let’s get to training and give it our best.
Around the grounds;
In U13s boy’s, the Brunswick side found themselves convincingly beaten by a younger, but more skilful Footscray side 19-1. No scores by Bendigo boys to report this week.
In U17s boys’, Brunswick held off Altona to win 8-6, with our lad Will Kenny acquitting himself admirably with 3 goals and an assist.
On Sunday, the Division 1 MCC/Bendigo women’s team were handed an emphatic loss by Malvern, 17-5, however Warhawk, Abigail O’Sullivan scored a goal. Well done!
John Webb, Senior Player.
Last Modified on 07/08/2018 09:41