ROUND 8 V CLUNES
A large and boisterous group of members of the 2009 premiership side ventured out to Skipton on Saturday to have a ten year reunion, and catch up with everyone at the club. Many thanks to Tim McKay for chasing everyone up and bringing them all together for a great day. All side rose to the occasion, putting on a display of football that hopefully reassured our premiership heroes that the club is continuing with their legacy.
FOOTBALL
Under12s returned to the winners circle, kicking 4.3-27 to Clunes 1.0-6. There were some great passages of play, including a highlight being the number of our players helping out the opposition. The game was played in great spirit, with some of our players taking the opportunity to slide through the muddy patch at both 50 metre lines, before, during and after the game. Awards to Kobi Richardson, Cooper Cahill and Harry Collins.
Under15s have given themselves a buffer in eighth place at the halfway mark of the season. Whatever happens from here they have been so impressive in the way they go about their football, and it would be a fitting reward for coach and players to solidify the chances of a finals appearance even further. Awards to N. Cooper, M.Boyer and J.Pittman.
The reserves had another good win, putting themselves on equal points with the top two sides and are gradually chipping away at the percentage advantage of those teams. We didn’t have it all our way however, Clunes led at the first change, and seemed to be causing some concerns for Skipton. Skipton made the best of the slight wind advantage, kicking away in the second quarter and increasing the margin thereafter. Final scoreSkipton 14.9-93 def Clunes 9.2-56. Best were Tom Miller, Scott Robson, Brad Uwland, Jackson Mcphan, Tim Gawyne and Tom Bertalli.
By this stage in the day the returning 2009 players were starting to find their voice, offering sage advice to our reserve players, and even more wisdom as the seniors ran onto the ground. The Emus had a steady start, being a little inaccurate in the first, kicking 4.6 to Clunes 2.3, but put the foot down kicking 5.6 and 6 in the next three quarters, to finish with Skipton 21.13-139 def Clunes 8.10-58.Curtis Townrow had a tally of eight goals earning a position in the best, along with Andrew Pitson, Lachie Johns and Cooper Henson.
NETBALL
Round 8 saw us take on Clunes at home with 3 wins from 7 games.
Yet again our under 13 section did us proud, with our 13b girls winning 17 to 4 against a tiny Clunes side. We certainly had a height advantage in this one and the awards went to Lyla Molloy, Clara Phillips and Matilda Neville.
13as probably had thier hardest match yet coming up against a very tough and physical side. Our girls played strong clean netball and did well not to get caught up in Clunes rough tactics. Awards in the 13 to 8 win went to Lillian Barr, Cate Connell and Holly Draffin.
The under 15 and 17 girls for Clunes were big girls and although our girls tried hard in both games and there was some solid play we were not good enough to match it with them. 15s final score was 11 to 29 with awards to Silver Victorsen, Gemma Richardson and Tess Bingham. 17s the awards went to Jenna Walsh and Annie Elliott in the 11 to 44 loss.
Senior reports:
CGrade started off well, only going down by 2 in the first quarter. Second quarter they continued to fight but the girls eyes where low and they seemed to become flat and they didn't have their normal flow down the court. Considering this they did show off some very nice passages at times. Best on went to Narelle Larkins who puts her body on the line each and every week. And Tash Whiteside who produced strong drives in the mid court helping the ball move fast down court. Skipton 32 def Clunes 42.
Bgrade came out firing against a top eight position team from Clunes. A great fist quarter saw us only down by 1 goal at quarter time. Clunes came out fast in the second quarter and we were caught flat footed and the pulled away by a considerable margin by half time. The emus fought back in the third and out scored the magpies on the board, but the damage had been done. A good last quarter saw us fight it out to the very end and the score didn’t really reflect the effort put in throughout the game. Best on court with a consistent game was Amy Lodge. Backed up in defence with some great intercepts and rebounds saw Nat Clarke take out second best. Keep fighting Emus. Skipton 18 def by Clunes 49.
Agrade had a fantastic start to thier game with intense pressure throughout the court. Hands over the ball and ring side intercepts created turnovers that our girls were then able to convert to goals. With the Clunes defence creating turnovers of their own, it was never a one way affair but with tight defensive pressure by Liz Williams and Sophie Draffin yet again and being well supported by Fiona Collins in centre court and strong shooting from our goalies we managed to increase the margin in the third before a level 4th quarter led to a 40 to 26 goal win. Great feeling to get another team win on the board with the awards going to Liz and Sophie for an amazing day in defence.