Sawtell/Toormina 24.11-155 def. North Coffs 6.4-40
Sawtell/Toormina
Goal Kickers: B. Hooke 9, D. Bienefelt 3, D. Matthews 3, M. Couzens 2, L. Cohen 2, T. Matthews 2, D. Pritchard, H. Schmidt, B. Matthews
Best Players: B. Hooke, D. Matthews, H. Schmidt, J. Edwards, L. Draper-Bell, S. Matthews
North Coffs
Goal Kickers: A. Pitzen 3, P. Walsh, S. Dawes, T. Ryan
Best Players: S. Dawes, D. Funston, K. Connolly, A. Delves, M. Gleeson, J. O'Connor
Umpires: Staniforth, Maasaad, Berrigan
Sawtell on the back of an incredible second-half comprehensively defeated North Coffs in the game billed as the match of the round at the Coffs Coast Leisure Park. Nobody in attendance could have possibly predicted such a result at half time, with North Coffs only two goals behind after holding a narrow lead at the end of the first quarter.
However, it was the performance of spearhead, Ben Hooke, that helped the Saints to a 17 goal to 1 second half and once again proved their superior attacking ability and presence up forward. Dean Matthews and Harley Schmidt were crucial during this time winning the contested ball.
Sam Dawes and Darren Funston again were the 'Roos best but it was another poor second half performance that will leave them scratching their heads for a solution heading deep into the season.
Coffs Swans 24.14-158 def. Grafton 13.6-84
Coffs Swans
Goal Kickers: E. Duryea 10, S. Adams 4, F. Duryea 4, D. Box 2, S. Burow 2, D. Bear, J. Thomas
Best Players: E. Duryea, F. Duryea, S. Adams, D. Box, S. Burow, D. Bear
Grafton
Goal Kickers: S. Purton 9, D. Beaver 3, K. Thompson
Best Players: S. Purton, D. Beaver, K. Thompson, D. Gordon, D. Gordon, R. Sheather
Umpires: Bellamy, Macpherson
It was a shootout at both ends but inevitably the class of the Swans that held strong over the Grafton Tigers at Ellem Oval.
Sean Purton, after being omitted from the North Coast squad last week, was again prominent for the Tigers, whilst the Swans were guided by Duryea brothers, who booted 14 goals between them and were strong in the midfield.
The young bodies of the Swans extended their lead in the final quarter, dashing any hopes of an unlikely Tigers comeback in front of a parochial home crowd. Shane Adams and Shannon Burow were amongst the youngsters who helped the Swans over the line.
It was an important percentage-boosting win that helped the Swans consolidate top position on the ladder despite Sawtell's strong win.
Port Macquarie 16.13-109 def. Nambucca Valley 3.3-21
Port Macquarie
Best Players: M. Newton, J. Brian, M. Lill, C. Micheel, J. Schmidt, M. Gallagher, D. Blysma
Nambucca Valley
Best Players: L. Benson, R. McGrath, R. Copeland, T. Holden, T. Mann, E. Linares
Umpires: L Turner, M Turner, Supple
Port Magpies consolidated third position on the ladder but did not have it all their own way against a persistent Nambucca outfit at Macksville Park.
In an early struggle, both sides were sloppy in what quickly established as a low-scoring contested posession game. Port was the more consistent however, kicking four goals in each quarter despite an advantageous wind favouring one end of the ground. Nambucca, meanwhile, were not able to add to their three first-quarter goals and were frustrated by their inability to convert.
Matthew Newton was strong up forward booting six goals, with Jarryd Brian and Matthew Lill dominant in the midfield. Ray McGrath was effective as a spare man in defence, with Luke Benson and Tim Holden also playing well around the ground. It was inevitably Port that gained the ascendancy but struggled to shake the Lions without several of their key players.
Last Modified on 16/06/2008 11:00