Millicent                 3-2                          10-8                       11-10                     15-13                     (103)

West Gambier         2-3                          2-4                         3-6                           3-6                       (24)

Millicent returned to top form in last Saturday’s round 18 WBFL clash with West Gambier, running out 79 point winners in their game played at McLaughlin Park, Millicent.

West Gambier was competitive during the first quarter but during the last three quarters the Saints dominated proceedings and confirmed their participation in final’s action in the coming weeks.

Conditions were very heavy after a week of steady rain. The ground was muddy in places and there was plenty of water lying in places on and outside the ground. The ground was in probably the worst condition that it has been in for many years. A 2 – 3 goal breeze was favouring the netball court end of McLaughlin Park.

Millicent regained captain, Jonathon Agnew (after 8 weeks on the sidelines with an injured knee), Matt Bryant and Joe Walker from injury and out of the side were Adam Allen, Jeremy Hales and Hamish Nitschke who all returned to the Reserves.

West Gambier captain Steve Wenman won the toss and elected to kick to the netball court end of McLaughlin Park.

Millicent had most of the play in their forward line early in the quarter. At the 4 minute mark, Glen Gascoyne marked the ball at HF and sent the ball long to FF for Hamish Gordon to mark and kick the opening goal of the game.

Millicent had their second goal on the scoreboard at the 9 minute mark when Cooper Hamilton swooped on the ball and goaled from 15 metres.

In one of several behind play incidents during the game Millicent youngster Joe Walker was left lying prostate in the centre of the ground at the 10 minute mark of the quarter.

At the 23 minute mark of the quarter Millicent’s Tyson Lindsay was caught holding the ball and Bradley McElroy kicked West’s first goal from the resulting free kick from 20 metres out from goal.

At the 25 minute mark Bronte Grosser was awarded a free kick for out on the full and his kick forward found Tim Milera 25 metres out from goal and he goaled.

At the 28 minute mark, Josh Ransom found Tyson Ploenges on the lead and from 45 metres who goaled just as the siren sounded.

The quarter time score was Millicent 3-2 led West Gambier 2-3.

The second quarter was dominated by Millicent. They held West Gambier goal-less while booting 7 goals themselves.

Walker won the first centre clearance of the quarter and put the ball forward for Milera to mark and goal at the 1 minute mark.

Following the goal there was some pushing and shoving amongst about 10-15 players on the Millicent HF line with West Gambier’s Patrick Daniels receiving a yellow-card. Nat Robbins received the resulting free kick and from 60 metres he goaled.

At the 9 minute mark Lindsay swooped on the ball across HF and a perfect pass found Michael Bennett on the lead and he goaled.

At the 10 minute mark Tom Hutchesson won a free kick at HF and his long kick forward found Gascoyne who marked and goaled.

Millicent was having all the play in their forward line.

At the 20 minute mark a free kick to Hamish Gordon and he passed off to Lindsay who dodged a couple of opponents and goaled from 30 metres.

At the 28 minute mark Justin Rehn found Milera who with a perfectly weighted pass to Gascoyne allowed him to walk in for an easy goal.

The half time score was Millicent 10-8 to West Gambier 2-4.

The third quarter was a real struggle for both sides with only one goal each being scored.

The Millicent defense held up strongly. Steve Duldig, Matt Bryant, Simon Newchurch and Shaun Withers all held up numerous West Gambier attacks by combining and working well together.

It was not until the 17^th minute mark before Millicent scored the first goal of the quarter when Cameron Haggett won a boundary throw-in and roved his own ruck-work before kicking long to FF for Gascoyne to mark and goal from 25 metres.

West Gambier’s only goal for the quarter came at the 22 minute mark when Craig Gysbers gave away a 50 metre penalty that put Abdullah Kamara on the goal line and he kicked West’s third goal for the game.

The three quarter time score was Millicent 11-10 to West Gambier 3-6.

At the 4 minute mark Newchurch and Ransom took an early shower when they were both yellow-carded.

It took 10 minutes for the first goal of the quarter when Gascoyne snapped a goal from 40 metres. At the 17 minute mark Rehn picked the ball up at HF and he bounced it through for a goal from 40 metres.

At the 21 minute mark Joe Pratt kicked a miraculous goal from the boundary line. At the 23 minute mark Rehn contested strongly at HF and got the ball off to Walker who goaled from 50 metres with Millicent now in complete control of the game.

The final score was Millicent 15-13 (103) defeated West Gambier 3-6 (24).

Goal kickers for Millicent were Glen Gascoyne 4, Tyson Lindsay 2, Tim Milera 2, Michael Bennett 1, Joe Pratt 1, Justin Rehn 1, Nat Robbins 1, Joe Walker 1, Hamish Gordon 1 and Cooper Hamilton 1.

Best players for Millicent were Nat Robbins, Michael Bennett, Tom Hutchesson, Tyson Lindsay, Cameron Haggett, Ryan Hutchesson, Matt Bryant, Shaun Withers, Steve Duldig and Simon Newchurch but there were a number of other good contributors throughout the day.

North Gambier finished on top of the premiership table with 52 points and will have a rest next week. Portland finished second with 48 points and will play third placed South Gambier who finished with 40 points in next Saturday’s Qualifying Final at Island Park, Casterton. Millicent finished in fourth place with 40 points and will play Hamilton Imperials who finished with 36 points in next Sunday’s Elimination Final.

In the Reserves game Millicent recorded a comfortable 61 point victory. The final score was Millicent 13-11 (89) defeated West Gambier 4-4 (28).

Goal kickers for Millicent were David Dunn 4, Craig Chittleborough 2, Jeremy Hales 2, John Facey 1, Andrew Nitschke 1, Chris Denton 1 and Kyle Bowman 1.

Best players for Millicent were Jeremy Hales, Andrew Nitschke, Craig Chittleborough, Darcy Thwaites, David Dunn and Andrew Thorne.

The Millicent Reserves finished in third position on the premiership table and will play second placed East Gambier in next Saturday’s Qualifying Final at Casterton.

In the Under 18’s game it was the battle for the wooden spoon between the two sides as they both had recorded only one win each for the season. Unfortunately for the young Saints, West Gambier proved too strong on the day.

The final score was West Gambier 16-11 (107) defeated Millicent 6-8 (44).

Goal kickers for Millicent were Mitch Reilly 3, Hamish Nitschke 1, Tyler McRostie 1 and Tyson Varcoe 1.

Best players for Millicent were Ben Chant, Henry Walshaw, Ryan Cranage, Mitch Gordon, Mitch Reilly and Brad Smith.

For the Under 18’s their season is now over and full marks to their coach, David Walshaw and all of the youngsters who have played this season.