The Cygnet Football Club traveled to Pontville Oval last Saturday and were confronted with freezing conditions, strong gusty swirling winds and snow showers. The ground was in very good condition considering the rain that fell during the week.
The Colt’s kicked off proceedings and had to defend against the breeze that seemingly favoured the highway end of the ground all day. The young Robins kicked 5 goals whilst keeping the Port scoreless for the quarter. The Port responded well in the second term kicking 3 goals to Brighton’s 1, with the Robins leading by 21 points at the long break. A four goal to one point third term really set up the game for the young Brighton side. To their credit, the Port fought the game out till the final siren but the Brighton side recorded a 54 point victory.
Better players included Tom Slevin, Corey Shaw and Tyler Cowen who all battled hard all day while Adam Direen, Reece Polley and Ben Smith lent good support. Ben Smith with two goals was the major goal-kicker.
The Reserves had a couple of late withdrawals due to sickness and had to play a couple of Colts. Even though facing the top side in the competition, they knew they were a good chance given the conditions. The side was also keen to make amends for the poor performance against Lindisfarne. The Brighton side won the toss but failed to utilise it in the first term and kicked poorly. The Port kicked some great goals from the boundary in the tricky winds to take a valuable 7 point lead into the long break. Coach Direen put numbers behind the football as the Brighton side again had the advantage of the strong wind. Unfortunately, the Robins found space with hard running and kicked 5 goals whilst holding the Cygnet side scoreless for the term. The Port felt it could run over the robins with the wind but a couple of steadying goals into the wind enabled the Brighton side to record a hard earned 31 point victory.
Better players included Shaun Bird who rucked well all day while Tim Bone again battled his heart out to lift his team. Vorne Graham played the loose man in defence to perfection while Jarrah Allan was good on the ball and when resting in the back-line. Paul Docking and Simon Slater were also solid in defence against bigger and stronger opposition. Goals were shared by four players.
The Senior side decimated by injury had to call upon a couple of Reserves players at short notice. The conditions began to worsen if that was possible with driving squalling rain and wind gusts up to 100 kilometres per hour. Brighton kicked to the highway end and kicked 3 goals but wasted a number of other opportunities whilst holding the Port scoreless.
The Robins defended stoutly in the second term only allowing the Port to kick a solitary goal whilst kicking one themselves to hold a 26 point half time lead.
With the ground lights on (we finally got a night game) the real damage was done in the third term when Brighton kicked 5 goals and squandered a number of other opportunities whilst holding the Port scoreless. The Port’s endeavour was good; they just could not penetrate the Robins defence or find avenues to goal.
The final term was a slog-fest in the conditions and to the Ports credit they battled the game out but the Robin’s recorded a strong 64 point victory in the worst conditions seen for football in some time.
Better players included Jules Direen and Captain Bradey Watson who both battled hard all day. Will Ford continues his purple patch of form in the back-line and shut down some key forwards. Craig Phillips, Rhys Jennings and Jarryd Atkins also tried hard in the conditions. David Bone was the Ports solitary goal-kicker.
COLTS
First quarter Cygnet 0.0 0 Brighton 5.4 34
Second quarter Cygnet 3.2 20 Brighton 6.5 41
Third quarter Cygnet 3.3 21 Brighton 10.11 71
Final Score Cygnet 4.4 28 Brighton 12.14 86
Match Synopsis .... The game started off in appalling conditions with cold blustery winds and driving rain-squalls. Scores looked certain to reflect the wind direction and that is how it turned out. Despite the adverse weather, some good football was played with Tom,Aaron,Saus and Tyler standouts in the first half. With gales rocking spectators' cars, Brighton popped through a few majors in a break of Port's desperate defence towards the end of the third quarter. Cygnet failed to capitalise on the hurricane winds in the last quarter and Brighton ran out easy victors.
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RESERVES
First quarter Cygnet 0.0 0 Brighton 1.6 12
Second quarter Cygnet 3.2 20 Brighton 1.7 13
Third quarter Cygnet 3.2 20 Brighton 6.9 45
Final Score Cygnet 4.4 28 Brighton 8.11 59
Match Synopsis .... Grim defence by our boys in the first quarter set up an opportunity to benefit from the gale conditions blowing their way in the second. A couple more goals would have been handy as Brighton pulled away again in the third. Cygnet's last quarter was a disappointing affair.
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SENIORS
First quarter Cygnet 0.0 0 Brighton 3.7 25
Second quarter Cygnet 1.0 6 Brighton 4.8 32
Third quarter Cygnet 1.0 6 Brighton 9.15 69
Final Score Cygnet 1.1 7 Brighton 9.17 71
Match Synopsis .... Deteriorating weather conditions with driving continuous rain created the stage for a miserable affair. In the first half Brighton wanted the ball more and managed to score a few goals, leaving Cygnet with a challenge which they were unable to overcome.
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