Pressure building up as finals draw near
With the end of the home and away season just around the corner clubs are feeling the pressure.
Some teams have already secured places in the finals while others are still doing their best to grab one or more of the contested spots. DROUIN MAROON v. YARRAGON Under 10 It was a beautiful morning for the game between Drouin Maroon and Yarragon.
Both teams played well and fought hard for the ball. Drouin got off to a great start but inaccurate kicking kept scores tight and although Drouin got the win Yarragon never gave up. Under 12 Yarragon took on the Maroons at their home ground and started well with good pressure at the ball.
Drouin’s strong forwards and great kicking at goal saw them develop a healthy lead by half time.
The second half saw Yarragon keep up the defensive effort but it was Drouin’s good kicking and passes through the middle of the ground that continued to provide opportunities for the forwards to kick away for a strong win. Under 14 A well fought match between Drouin and Yarragon with Maroon hitting the lead early.
Fast hands and well contested ruck work led a great game in Drouin’s favour.
Maroon’s Cam Caddy played his 100th game. COLTS v. NEERIM DISTRICT Under 10 On what was a perfect morning for football both Neerim and the Colts started with determination, Neerim scoring goals in both the first and second quarters to secure a half time lead.
In the second half the contest tightened with Neerim Districts securing the win despite a great last half effort from Colts. Under 12 Both sides started strong and Colts fought hard all game but Neerim come away with a solidf win. Under 14 The Cats and Colts battled hard throughout the match at Eastern Park.
Neerim applied intense pressure for four quarters while the Colts kept tight and played a great offensive game.
Well done to the Cats on a hard-fought game but the Colts ended up being too good on the day. ELLINBANK v. HALLORA Under 10 Two teams ready and eager to score provided an evenly matched contest that had supporters on the edge of their seats.
The highly contested game saw Hallora pile on the greater scoreboard pressure and hold on for a well-deserved victory. Under 12 Ellinbank hosted Hallora in fine conditions.
The first quarter saw both sides shake-off any doubts.
Ellinbank broke through the second quarter to set up a handy lead. However, Hallora wasn’t done.
It continued to defend well and for the remainder of the match to prevent Ellinbank extending its lead.
The early efforts paid-off for Ellinbank that produced a much-needed win. Ellinbank’s Rylan Butler and Harrison Dodd played their 50th games. Under 14 In a great show of sportsmanship Ellinbank gave Hallora many of their stronger players to enable Hallora a more competitive side.
That resulted in a fun, enjoyable game of football for players and spectators. CALDERMEADE v. BULN BULN Under 10 On a foggy but windless morning the opening half was a tight and a low scoring affair.
In the second half both teams lifted but it was Buln Buln’s running and play that proved the difference and enabled it to take the win. Under 12 While it was a cold start at Lang Lang for Round 13 Caldermeade got the hold of the ball early to kick the first goal.
Buln Buln threw out some great defensive play but at the final siren it was Caldermeade that came out winners. Under 14 Cannons and Buln Buln went at it from the starting siren.
The Cannons were let down in the first quarter by a lack of pressure.
Buln Buln’s accuracy in front of goal gave it a strong lead although Cannons pressure and hardness at the ball slowed them down across the field.
Buln Buln took the four points with a clear win. BULLS v. DROUIN GOLD Under 10 Conditions were pretty good at Loch with both sides starting well.
There were great passages of play all over the ground with the Bulls able to kick a few goals in to get an early break.
Drouin held on with great defence but the Bulls took out the win in the end. Under 12 The Bulls took on Drouin Gold in what turned out to be a cracking game. The Bulls took a strong lead early only for Gold to hit back and lead right up until the final minute.
A great mark and goal in the dying seconds saw Bulls get up by two points. Under 14 The day turned out to be clear and mild for a clash between sides matched on the ladder. The game was played accordingly. The Bulls got out to an early lead and looked good for three quarters before Drouin Gold made up some ground in the last quarter.
Bigger bodies in the Bulls’ side and Gold’s inaccurate kicking allowing the Bulls to come out with a close win. WARRANOR v. BUNYIP Under 10 In a terrific game of football with excellent skills and teamwork from both sides the contest was even throughout.
Warranor, a little undermanned on the day, put up a great effort against a fast and skilful Bunyip team that came away with a tight win. Under 12 On a sunny morning at Logan Park Warranor proved too strong for Bunyip. Warranor who got off to a fast start and with the favourable weather produced a high skill level and a great contest.
The second and third quarters were a tight before Warranor ran away from a tiring Bunyip in the last term. Under 14 Two good teams were fighting for a finals berth.
Warranor started well until Bunyip found their feet and grabbed the lead by the 3rd quarter.
Warranor steadied in the last quarter and took out a hard-fought win. LONGWARRY v. WARRAGUL BLUES Under 10 Clean possessions in the good conditions was a feature with the Blues just a little too strong, and out-marking the Crows and scoring when they had the chances.
Under 12 Longwarry welcomed the Blues for a top of the table match that lifted both sides.
They played hard, contested and skilled football.
Blues forward line pressure proved too strong and saw them take the four handy premiership points. Under 14 Blues travelled to Longwarry to face a determined Crows’ team.
Although the scoreboard will suggest an easy victory to the Blues the Longwarry team fought hard all day on a ground that was heavy and wet made the game slow and scratchy.
Garfield had the bye.