With inclement weather threatening, the Bayside Bombers Masters, sponsored by Rathbone Engineering, ventured last weekend to Cansdale Street, Yeronga, to meet Wilson Grange Gorillas Masters at home for a Sunday morning clash. This game had promised all of the hallmarks of a grudge match, between two evenly placed teams on the ladder, known for their committed style of Australian Football and their unflinching commitment to hard body play.
The first quarter got off to a slippery start, with the overnight rain turning the match into battle of wet weather football skills. Both teams failed to gain any ascendancy over either the weather conditions, or their opponents, with the Bayside Bombers midfield of Russell 'Bags' Bagnall, Gavin 'Torso' Kearney, Mick 'Cass' Kath, Kym Dry and Clinton Dunning who was the best on ground for the day, was again the difference in a first quarter lead of 6 points. Following several inaccurate shots on goal, the Bayside Bombers kicked a goal deep into the first term, to lead Wilson Grange Masters 2.2.14 to Wilson Grange Master's 1.3.09.
Having determined lack lustre hand balling was preventing the Bombers getting clear in play, coach Doug Knight urged his men to clean up their handballs and hit their teammates with clean hands. To this end, the Bayside were ably served in the second term by their tight defensive back line structures with Stephen 'Hayes' Hazel, Russell Crowe and John 'JAF' Fuller, who is running into some great first season form, consistently repelling many attacks, in greasy, wet conditions that favoured percentage play, body strength, pack struggles and hard as nails football commitment. Additionally, Steve 'Aker' Cueral played a strong back pocket role, with clean hands that defied the prevailing weather conditions, with strong support from Brian 'Skils' Shaw and Aaron Garrad.
The second quarter saw the Bayside Bombers Masters, sponsored by Wilpak, extend their lead over Wilson Grange Masters with a further 2 goals. At half time the Bayside Bombers 4.5.29, led Wilson Grange Master 2.5.17 in what the team considered to be a heartening effort, despite many skills errors. At the half time break, the Bombers Team leaders were urging their team to believe they could beat the Gorillas, and to translate that belief into on-field commitment.
Having found some half time inspiration, the Bombers then found some touch in the third quarter, as they broke away from Wilson Grange in general play and on the scoreboard. The Bayside Bombers forward line lifted with goals to Jason 'Rookie' March and Craig 'Wheels' Wieland, to put the Bayside into a commanding position. Darren 'Dukes' Smith then chased the Wilson Grange full back to lock him down in a tackle that was awarded a free kick, which he then converted for a goal from 10 metres out on an acute angle. Mick 'Cass' Kath took a heavily contested, high-flying pack mark in goal square on the last line of defence, to save an opposition goal, that inspired his team to greater efforts. Returning to some of his former glory, Mark 'Huddo' Hudgson was the difference in the forward line, kicking three goals for the day, including a well roved forward pocket snapshot goal in heavy traffic, from the front of the pack, under pressure from opponents, in a match winning performance that rivalled Clinton Dunning for best afield.
The superb third term by the Bombers effectively buried Wilson Grange, considering the wet conditions were difficult to score goals in, and favoured the team who could amass a lead and hold it with dour defence, with the Bayside Bombers going into the last quarter leading 10.6.66 to Wilson Grange 3.6.24.
Going into the last quarter, it was going to take a mighty effort from the Gorillas to win the game, as the gruelling, heavy-underfoot conditions sapped much of both teams energy in the three prior quarter efforts. Despite tiredness in their fourth quarter play, having spent the bulk of their energy gaining a winning lead, the Grandview Hotel sponsored Bayside Bombers back line and midfield maintained their defensive efforts and counter attacks, with a strong last quarter by captain Russell Crowe on the ball, to stop the more strongly finishing Wilson Grange Masters team from catching up the Bombers leads, leaving the Bayside Bombers to collect the four points, 12.7.79 to Wilson Grange Masters 5.9.39, to advance into the Top 5 on the Masters League Premiership Table.
With a return to their training ground, bar, restaurant, club and natural home at the home of the Bayside Bombers, at Colburn Avenue, Victoria Point, and a recent return to form for a three game winning streak, the Bayside Masters Team have laid a solid foundation for another tilt at the premiership this year, to add to their rich tradition of team success.
Goals: Hudgson 3, Dunning 3, Weiland 2, Kearney 2, March 1, Smith 1
Best: Dunning, Hudgson, Dry, Kath, Bagnall, Weiland, Kearney,
Quarter By Quarter Scores
First Quarter Bombers 2.2.14 Wilson Grange Gorillas 1.3.09
Second Quarter Bombers 4.5.29 Wilson Grange Gorillas 2.5.17
Third Quarter Bombers 10.6.66 Wilson Grange Gorillas 3.6.24
Fourth Quarter Bombers 12.7.79 Wilson Grange Gorillas 5.9.39
Last Modified on 26/06/2012 19:24