Cygnet Football Club :: Round 17 East Coast Blitz

The Cygnet Football Club welcomed East Coast Bombers players and supporters to Cygnet Oval last Saturday for what promised to be three keenly contested matches. While some rain on the Friday and Saturday morning made for sticky and slippery conditions early in the Colts match, the weather was ideal for football with a slight breeze blowing toward the Cygnet township.

The Colts got of to a reasonable start against the young Bombers but faced a 21 point deficit at quarter time. While the Port were showing plenty of endeavour, another four goal quarter by the young Bombers enabled them to hold a match winning 47 point lead at half time. Sam gave the boy’s a spark at the long break and they had a really good third term matching the Bombers in all facets of the game.

The young Cygnet side did well to contain their more fancied opponents in an even final quarter but eventually went down by 63 points, which was an improvement on their previous encounter.

Best players included the consistent Adam Direen and Damien Duggan who both played great games. Jeremy Hickey did a lot of the bustling and pack work while young Cameron Norris continues to develop and gain confidence. Brendan Direen and Tyler Cowen rounded out a pretty good effort by the boys who were short on the bench as well.

The Reserves were determined to avenge their disappointing first round loss and were keen to get a good start. Captain Timmy Bone finally won a toss and with a nice breeze behind their backs the Port kicked 5 goals to 2 and missed a couple of easy opportunities in the process to have a handy quarter time lead.

The second quarter was fairly even, but the Bombers kicked three goals with the wind whilst the Port did the same working into the breeze. The Port’s Coach gave his side a bit of a spray at the long break to keep their minds on the job. The Bombers kicked the first goal of the third quarter but the Port finally flicked the switch at about the ten minute mark to pile on 5 goals to 2 to have the game in its keeping at three quarter time.

The last quarter proved a bit of a slog as all players tired in the heavy conditions and the Port recorded a good 38 point victory.

Better players were easy to find for the Port with Jamie Direen (8 goals) taking a number of strong marks and kicking beautifully for goal. “Libba” Paul (2 goals) looked dangerous all day in the forward line and helped set up many of Jamie’s opportunities. Shaun Bird again rucked tirelessly and worked hard around the contests. Loic Auderset was outstanding at centre half back and repelled numerous attacks while Timmy Bone and Benny Dean gave the Port an edge in attack on the football and experience. Adam Wills was great at full back and David Bone had another very good game.

The Senior side were wary of the Bombers as they knew Lauderdale had a bye and on that basis, their side may change to previous weeks. The first term began with the Port being first on the score-board, but the young Bombers looked pretty quick and switched on to hold an 11 point lead at the first change.

The Bombers took control in the first half of the second term and looked like kicking right away with the match until Ben Halton started to mark everything that came his way and with magnificent conversion near goal, got the Port back into the match with seven personal goals to half time, and giving the Port a three point lead at the main break.

The third term witnessed the Port start to slowly kick away but the Bombers would not be denied and struck back with late goals and holding all the momentum, including having the wind in the final term at the three quarter time break.

The last term is best described as very disappointing for the Port as the Bombers got a sniff when they drew in front and then piled on 8 goals to 2 to record a well deserved 38 point victory.

Better players were hard to find for the Port, but Ben Halton with 11 majors at full forward was a delight to watch all day and Captain Bradley Watson did everything he could to lift his team. Will Ford again played a great game in the back-line while Rhys Jennings and Mitch Direen were competitive and tried to provide the Port with some run. Gerard Brereton rucked well for the Port. I’m sure the players learnt a valuable lesson from this match as highlighted by Matt Tyrrell after the game.

This week we travel to Sorell to take on the Eagles at Pembroke Park. With Sorell not having a Colts team this season, it will mean a later start to the day which will be welcomed by the committee.

Saturday 30 July 2011 .. Cygnet vs Lauderdale/East Coast Bombers

Welcome Back Ducky

COLTS

First quarter Cygnet 1.0 6 Lauderdale 4.3 27

Second quarter Cygnet 1.1 7 Lauderdale 8.6 54

Third quarter Cygnet 4.1 25 Lauderdale 11.7 73

Final Score Cygnet 4.1 25 Lauderdale 13.10 88

Match Synopsis .... Our boys found the wet grass and greasy surface difficult to adjust to, and with Corey Shaw sick, Lauderdale capitalised on a weakened backline. One good quarter.. the third... was really only a brief respite from a hard rugged game against a better opposition.

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RESERVES

First quarter Cygnet 5.4 34 Lauderdale 2.0 12

Second quarter Cygnet 8.8 56 Lauderdale 5.1 31

Third quarter Cygnet 13.8 86 Lauderdale 7.1 43

Final Score Cygnet 14.11 95 Lauderdale 9.3 57

Match Synopsis .... With Big Daddy on fire .. kicking 8 goals (including 2 on the run) and stand-out performances by Loic, T-Bone and Libba .. the reseves won a game which could have been harder to win as Lauderdale were very competitive.

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SENIORS

First quarter Cygnet 4.3 27 Lauderdale 6.2 38

Second quarter Cygnet 9.7 61 Lauderdale 9.5 59

Third quarter Cygnet 12.10 82 Lauderdale 12.7 79

Final Score Cygnet1 14.12 96 Lauderdale 20.14 134

Match Synopsis .... A messy first half and a devastating last quarter by Lauderdale blew Cygnet away. A goal blitz in the third quarter by Ben Halton brought a game which was slipping away back into contention, however the visitors stood up to the challenge to pile on unanswered goals in a final term that is best forgotten.