Last home game for the season. Last home game for the career? I’ll have to think about that … again.
Another cool and overcast day at Maiden Gully, with no wind to speak of and little chance of rain. They’re good days to play lacrosse. Not much grass, unless you count the tussocks and dry enough to do the “old guy” hammy stretches lying on my back.
The third-placed Malvern team arrived with a handy-looking outfit of 14 players, while Bendigo had a few notable outs in Russell Crofts and Mason Matheson, and Mark Reader undecided about risking a knee to a top side. However, the Warhawks were overjoyed to have James Dawson suit up for the day in his old number 16. He was visiting from Canberra and also talked a teammate, Greg Brenn, from the new Canberra Lacrosse Club into having a run with us as well. As I made my way into the changeroom, Mike Bell smiled and excitedly told me that “he’s an American!”
The first quarter began with Malvern controlling the ball in their forward line for most of the time, with Bendigo only able to manage short rushed bursts in attack from turnovers, before a sharp Malvern defence made off with the ball. However, for all the time Malvern had in possession, they were held out wide and without score by a magnificent show of defence from the Warhawks. Malvern found themselves making uncharacteristic mistakes under the huge pressure from the long poles of Bendigo: Jordan O’Meara (he played a blinder), Mike Bell and Jarrod Topp-Lowe and the defensive middies in Tim Davis and Dylan Leclercq. I don’t think I’ve seen a top-four team struggle as much as Malvern did in that first quarter and they were made to look ordinary, only managing a single goal for the quarter which was matched by a slick goal from a snatched loose ball from our visiting player Greg Brenn. One all at quarter time.
The change of ends seemed to free up Malvern and they were able to net six goals, despite still receiving close attention from the Bendigo backline. Lone centre man Brett Ruiz continued to slug it out at face-offs and the Warhawks frequently came up with the ball, but in attack, the time with the ball was way too short, often with not enough time for attackers to even get into position before the possession was lost to a rash shot or a dropped pass. Malvern were in control at half time with the score on 7-1.
Mark Reader could watch on no longer and pulled on his gear at the long break and stepped on with a short stick. The effect was immediate, with him netting two goals for the quarter. The attack movement was better for the Warhawks and the ball spent more time in their half. At the other end, the Bendigo defence was able to break the Malvern second quarter momentum, and the latter were limited to 3 goals to bring us to 10-3 at the last change.
In the final term, Malvern found a gear and Bendigo began to tire. Bendigo were again held scoreless, despite some good attempts, and Malvern slotted 6, with some really good team play and ran away with it 16-3.
Bendigo can be happy with being able to match an experienced Malvern for two quarters, especially considering how long Malvern had possession.
Votes were awarded to Tim Davis (3 club and 2 Association) for a stellar day, adding to the defence’s awesome show. Gino Iuliano was given 2 club votes in goals for a great day of repelling the Malvern bombardment and keeping a cool head under pressure. Matt Saxon again attracted the eyes of the refs with a single club vote for another day of punching well above his weight and giving us the legs we need in the middle.
I should also mention that this was Brett Ruiz’s 100th game for the club and he did it in style by taking all the face-offs. Well done, Brett!
Many thanks go to James Dawson and Greg Brenn for bolstering our numbers, Lester Young for reffing, the O’Mearas for scoring (and oranges), and the Saxons for helping in the canteen.
So, let the maths begin. We now we have two more games to go for the season, against the division’s bottom two sides and we sit at 7th on the ladder with three teams above us who either have one game or some percentage on us. We have the biggest jump to get into fourth position, but we also have the best run up. Get pumped, it’s possible!
John Webb, senior player.
Boys’ U15s MCC vs Eltham
Eltham were too strong for MCC with a final score of 20-5. Bendigo boys did well with Christian Iuliano scoring a goal and Matt Saxon notching up an assist. Evidently the lads both did well at the centre draws, but middies didn’t always capitalise on won face-offs.
Women’s B grade MCC/Bendigo vs Williamstown
MCC/Bendigo held Williamstown to three goals to four in the first quarter, but Willy hit their straps and ran over the top of them for finish 26 to 5 at full time.