by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V OUYEN UNITED
It was always going to be difficult for players in the wintry conditions, and full credit to Jeparit Rainbow who came within a couple of kicks of defeating one of the flag favourites. This game went down to the wire with United up at three quarter time, but the Lakers coming home with the breeze.
Neither side was able to take full advantage of the wind. Jeparit Rainbow kept Ouyen United under pressure in the first quarter and although the Lakers got on top with the wind in the second, they weren’t able to convert enough chances to take a grip on the game.
The third quarter was a real struggle with the Lakers defending strongly and keeping the Demons to a narrow lead at three quarter time. The final quarter was a battle that Ouyen United won, rather than the valiant Lakers losing.
Jeparit Rainbow moved the ball well all day. Heath Clugston won a lot of the leather, as the does on a regular basis and Jayden Werner was outstanding in the backline. He played with lots of courage, putting his body on the line in an effort to get himself in front of the Demon full forward Ash Connick.
Justin Chilver was strong in the ruck, Corey Waldron ran hard all game and ended up with lots of possessions, and with regular centre half forward Andrew Hiscock missing due to injury, Peter Weir played further up the ground, but was still a good contributor with two goals.
Ouyen United will be pleased with their win away from home, against a genuine finalist. Ryan O’Callaghan was outstanding for the Demons, Marc Hahnel played well and young big man Todd Barker kicked two goals and was one of the best for Ouyen United. Adam Moore has been playing well for several weeks at full back and Pete Caldow was another to play well.
This was a good game to watch, a real hard slog. Both sides applied a lot of pressure and ran hard all day. In the end, what probably separated the two sides was the ability of Ouyen players to kick more accurately to a team mate.
Jeparit Rainbow will be disappointed to lose this match, but showed that they can get close to the top teams and are worthy of their place in the four.
BEULAH V SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS
The damp and windy weather wasn’t going to prevent a young and very inexperienced Tiger lineup giving it their all coming up against the might of ladder leaders Beulah.
This youthful Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers team never game in. They scrapped and battled all day and at three quarter time they trailed by only three points.
Matt Elliott back from the SANFL was excellent for the Tigers and scored a goal. skipper Liam Barry was another wonderful goal scorer, running forward from his wing and Luke Martin won his position in the ruck providing his onballers with first use of the ball. Just to show that they still have a bit left in them, the older Sea Lake Nandaly Tiger players were joined by the veteran Terry Cox who was called up from the reserves and played a super game at fullback.
This is a very good Beulah outfit. They would have been confident that they had Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers measure pretty much all day and cemented victory with a decisive eight goal to one final quarter. Just when it mattered most, the Blues were able to put the Tiger hopeful’s dreams to bed.
Beulah had good players in Tom, Kim and Gary Hallam, Clayton and Brad Shannon and Gareth Hose. Jake Percy kicked three goals for the Blues and Adam Carter chipped in with two.
The injury curse at Tigerland continues. They already had many key players watching from the sidelines, but they lost more during the course of the day. Centre Half Forward Sam Roberts went down with a shoulder injury in the first quarter and star onballer Darcy Ryan was knocked out in the second quarter.
Well done Beulah. They travel to Ouyen for their next game and what a game that promises to be! Meanwhile the Tigers will host the Roos who managed only their second win for the season against the Cats.
WALPEUP UNDERBOOL V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
In cold, blustery conditions, Walpeup Underbool came out on top of this battle of the cellar dwellers. An eight point break to the gallant Cats at three quarter time was never going to be enough as the Roos had final use of the breeze. This was how it turned out as Walpeup Underbool scored five goals and managed to hold Woomelang Lascelles goaless in the final quarter.
Yet the Woomelang Lascelles Club did themselves proud on the day. It was a great effort and although there are no prizes for losing, many of their fans indicted their support by clapping the side off the ground at the end. Given the circumstances, it was probably the Cats best performance for the year.
With both sides lacking talent and depth this year, and with injuries playing a role, it was a chance for both sides to look to the future and blood some younger players. Luke Summerhayes did well for the Roos, John Smith, Callum Winslow and James Heenan also relished the chance to test their ability. Yet it was the older, more experienced Walpeup Underbool players who got them over the line. Warrick Brady played another blinder kicking five goals, Matt Brown was back amongst the goals with four, Chris Lynch was solid and reliable in defence and the Latta bothers, Travis and Darren were in the best for the Roos once again.
Goals were harder to come by for the Cats, but they did have four players who kicked two each. Clayton Lee was under every pack in a best on ground performance, Trent Donnan ran up and down the ground all day winning the ball and getting lots of kicks, Josh Templeton proved to be a live wire up forward using his pace to advantage and ruckman Luke Symes used his height to give his on ballers first use of the ball.
Others to play well for the Cats were Jason Kreuger who is getting better with every game and is always dangerous when he has the ball and Tony Mudge playing the role of loose man in the backline was able to stop countless attacks.
Woomelang Lascelles will look forward to the bye next week before their next encounter against the Tigers. Walpeup Underbool travel to Sea Lake this week and should have gained something from their win, and given Sea Lake Nandaly’s horrific run of injuries, could do well
Last Modified on 11/07/2010 11:37