Riley Harris Cup contested
Bunyip and Garfield played off Saturday morning in the annual Riley Harris Cup.
This was the fifth year that the two clubs have come together to commemorate the life of their young friend who lost his courageous battle with cancer on April 20, 2013.
A wet week and rain on Saturday morning saw many grounds softening up for Saturday’s matches. Bunyip v Garfield Under 10 Terrific team football by Bunyip in the first half resulted in a small lead to Bunyip at half time.
The second half was a great contest and Garfield working well in the last quarter allowed them to pull away for the win. Under 12 A great four quarters of contested football was played by both sides.
Garfield were able to put two goals on the board in the first half and while Bunyip continued to work hard all game, Garfield came out with the win. Under 14 The annual Riley Harris Cup played out evenly, with only two points separating the sides at half time.
Garfield continued to work well as a team but Bunyip opened the gap in the final quarter to regain the Cup making it a 3-3 record.
Bunyip’s Ben Brasier played his 100th game and Matthew Interlandi played his 50th game. Blues v Ellinbank Under 10 Both teams came to play with some nice passages of play and strong pressure applied by both sides which kept scores low.
Despite a strong team effort by Ellinbank, Blues came out victorious. Under 12 Blues got off to a great start kicking, six goals straight to one in the first quarter.
It was a free-flowing game played in great spirit with Ellinbank continuing to work for the full four quarters. Blues ran out comfortable winners in the finish. Under 14 The Blues got off to a great start and got the goals on the board.
Ellinbank fought back hard in the second half keeping the Blues goal less. Blues ran out the second half to win the game.
Ellinbank’s Matthew Atherton played his 100th game. Neerim District v Yarragon Under 10 It was a very strong start in the first quarter by Neerim.
After the first quarter Yarragon held most of the ball. Neerim proved hungry for the win with both teams fighting hard. Under 12 Both teams took to the ground desperate for their first win.
Neerim took off strong kicking the first two goals.
The game was a tight wrestle putting on the pressure at both ends. Yarragon fought back hard taking the game for a win. Under 14 After a first half arm wrestle in which only three goals were scored, Yarragon gained the ascendency in the third term but couldn’t find the middle of the big sticks.
In the final term after a tight start Yarragon eventually wore down the young Cats to record a comfortable win. Drouin Gold v Colts Under 10 Both teams played with high spirits. Despite the low scoring from the Colts, they never gave up on the field. Under 12 It was a good game between fierce competitors.
Colts’ spirited start with plenty of run and spread saw the game get off to a good start between fierce competitors.
Drouin Gold applied pressure and good team work but despite an excellent second half by the Colts, Drouin came away with the points. Under 14 Colts competed hard all game however with team work Drouin Gold came away with the win.
Drouin’s Thomas Young played his 100th game. Hallora v Warranor Under 10 It was a good solid contest between two very even teams.
Strong tackling and exceptional team work made for a tight contest and it came down to the last quarter, where Warranor’s skill got them over the line. Under 12 Rain throughout the game made it a hardlong slog from both teams.
Hallora’s tough tackling game was great but could not convert for a score on the board, Warranor kicking away through the game. Under 14 Warranor moved the ball well and broke through a strong Hallora defence to come away with a convincing win. Buln Buln v Drouin Maroon Under 10 A tough wet game between Buln and Drouin Maroon with both teams showing great skills with long kicks and big marks thoughout.
Drouin were able to get on the scoreboard with some quick-thinking play. Buln were a tough side and had some impressive play despite what the scoreboard read. Under 12 The lazy rain cleared for the start of the under 12 game and Drouin game out firing, kicking six goals in the first quarter.
Altogether it was a tough game with some big hits and big kicks by both teams, Drouin was too strong on the day and got the win. Under 14 Although winning many of the ruck contests Buln Buln were not able to capitalise with Drouin attacking at all cost.
Buln defended with plenty of tackling but Drouin proved too good. Longwarry v Caldermeade Under 10 Both teams went hard for the ball and Longwarry got on the score board in the final quarter, but Caldermeade were just too strong. Under 12 Under wet ground conditions the kids found it hard to keep their feet.
Caldermeade managed a major in the last quarter, but Longwarry were too strong in the end to take the win. Under 14 Caldermeade fought hard all day, but Longwarry was ultimately too strong.
The Bulls had the bye.