Plains Producer, Wednesday June 3, 2009
www.plainsproducer.com.au
21
sport v Football
Peckers’ finals chances slim after loss to Rams A grade
SAM Rowland, Balaklava tries to dodge a tackle attempt by Ram Reggie Young during the senior colts game.
RAM Marco Lazenkas on the run during the senior colts game.
by Hen Peckered With their season on the line, Balaklava Peckers, still missing key players, hosted Virginia Rams who were at near full strength. And Virginia’s strength brought them home with a strong win over Balaklava. An early goal to Pecker Matt Pascoe was followed immediately by a goal to “gun” Ram full forward, Anton Geradis also from a good mark. Virginia opened the game well with strong tackling and doing most of the attacking. However, they were repelled by the Peckers’ defence led by Jed Rowland with ruckman Hayden walker helping out. Jonathon Brice gave the Peckers some spark up forward with a clever kick by Ben Catford giving him his first followed by two contested marks and goals to open up a slight ascendancy for the home side. Virginia had some good players this quarter with Anthony Johnston and Anthony Seccafien finding a lot of the ball in the midfield and Emanuel Tsimiklis also threatening at half forward. Bal 5.1 Virginia 2.2. A perfect start for Balaklava with “Roly” McLean clearing the ball out of the centre bounce, his kick finding Benny Lamond, whose perfect kick found Brady Scott, who kicked truly.
Virginia 22-11 (143) d Balaklava 9-12 (66)
However, the Rams bounced straight back with Aaron Geradis goaling for his second. Chris Mussolino, in his second game for the season, followed with two goals from snap shots and when Steven Papanotis kicked truly, Virginia had gained the lead after nine minutes of play. The following 13 minutes were a hard arm wrestle with neither side able to score, both defences standing tall, Hayden Walker in particular marking everything that came his way in defence for the Peckers. A goal just before the siren to Emanuel Tsimiklis gave the Rams a slight edge at half time. Vir 7.2 Balak 6.2. A scrambly start to the third quarter gave Balaklava several points, a goal to Anton Geradis hurting the Peckers with his third. The Rams’ tackling, a highlight of the game so far continued with the pressure forcing their opponents into making mistakes and poor disposals. Anthony Bascombe came into the game with some strong marks and two goals.
And when Anton Geradis kicked his fourth against the close attention of Jed Rowland, the Rams had opened up a handy lead. Against the flow, Justin Michael managed a goal at the 22-minute mark, but the hard working Ram midfield, in particular Anthony Johnston, closed down any recovery by Balaklava. A late goal to Robert Desmond gave his side a five-goal buffer at the last change. Vir 12.8 Balak 7.7. An early surge by the Peckers who still felt confident of victory, gave them a nil return. Their return of points only snuffed out any chances of victory though and when Anthony Bascombe kicked his third goal, the floodgates opened. Ben Galic got on top in ruck and with the two Anthonys, Johnston and Seccafien, dominating in midfielld, the ball was constantly driven forward where Anton Geradis, well held by Jed Rowland to this point, finally broke the shackles. Some accurate goal kicking gave him a quick five goals for a nine-goal haul. The rams added 10 goals
Close game, but Peckers stand firm Senior Colts
By Hen Peckered Balaklava hosted Virginia in what promised to be a very competitive game, the Peckers having several players out injured. Virginia started the game well doing all the attacking but unable to capitalise on the scoreboard. Captain Grant Drew was showing early pace and his team’s attack on the ball was determined. However, the Peckers’ defence stood firm and soon got their game going to hold a slender lead at quarter time. Bal 2.4 Vir 1.3. Sam Rowland was in everything and his side soon had two goals on the board. The Peckers were attacking the ball a lot harder and despite pressure from the rams, were using the ball well. The Rams fought back as the quarter wore on, their height worrying the Peckers led by ruckman Shaun Solomon. Unfortunately though their kicking for goal let them down, missing some “sitters” which could have given them the lead by half time, but instead were three goals down. Bal 5.4 Vir 2.8. The rams threw everything at Balaklava, two fundamental errors giving them two early goals. But with the youngsters, Michael Clifford and Braden Harkness along with Daniel Butterfield, the defence stood firm. Best on ground, Sam Rowland, continued to win many effective possessions and the continual good work of Chad Ruiz up forward gave the Peckers the edge at three quarter time. Bal 7.5 Vir 4.11. In defence, Reginald Young was rebounding well for Virginia in defence and U/14 medalist, Lewis Bannear was showing his class. And Marco Lazenkas on his wing was giving good drive for his side. But as the quarter wore on, the Peckers got on top to finish the game off well. The score indicated the closeness of the game and the Peckers’ accuracy giving them the edge. Final scores: Balaklava 9.9 Virginia 5.13.
junior colts
By Mercy-fool Balaklava started well in the first quarter, with Dylan Fahey and Corey Karpany each kicking two goals, whilst Virginia could only manage a minor score. This was primarily due to Josh Butterfield repelling most of their attacks at centre half back, and Tate Michael providing plenty of run on the ball. Adam Drew had a few good runs for the Rams, but undid some of this good work when frustration crept in, while the Jones boys tried hard for the visitors too. It was more of the same in the second term, with Karpany adding two more majors to take his tally to four by half time, and Callum and Tate Micahel each adding one. The left footer for Virginia in Anton Pogas showed some resistance and booted the Rams first ‘six
Balaklava 9-8 (62) d VIrginia 5-12 (42)
pointer’ for the game, in a good passage of play. Drew was showing plenty of dash again for Virginia, but Tate Michael, Caleb McPharlin and Josh Butterfield were starting to take him on and were doing well for the Peckers. Although the game was nearly over by half time, things did even up a little in the third with the Peckers only kicking two (one to Fahey for his third and one to Josh Butterfield) to the Rams’ one. Unfortunately though, a four quarter game was not to be, as the leading margin was increased
RIGHT: Ram Matthew Nugent gives chase to Pecker Ryan McPharlin during the senior colts game. BELOW: Pecker Daniel Butterfield swoops in to pick up a loose ball.
enough to be over eight goals – 10-5 to 2-2. Pogas was again good for the visitors, kicking their only goal, while Josh Jones and Jake Hocking also played a good game. Josh Butterfield continued his good form throughout the ground, as did Callum and Tate Michael. Despite the last quarter being ‘just for fun’ due to the mercy rule, it was tightly contested, with each team kicking one goal, one behind a piece. To Virginia’s credit, they never gave up with Nick Seccafien kicking their only goal and Pogas finishing off a good game. Drew tried hard, but at times was undisciplined, an example being when Fahey kicked his fourth for the Peckers, as a result of a 50 metre penalty. Meanwhile for Balaklava, Bradey Krieg had a great last quarter rebounding plenty of Virginia’s attacks on the last line of defence, and Tate Michael ran the game out well, as did Josh Butterfield.
Jamie Tiller of Balaklava in the centre was starting to pick up some good possessions to create some run through their half forward lines. However, Maurice Leo from Virginia kicked a goal from a set shot to steady his team going into the half time break. Virginia were still attacking hard at the ball in the third quarter, however Balaklava was playing tighter in defence, allowing their on-ballers to push the ball forward to give on-the-run goals to Matt Fiegert and Kerry Michalanney, giving Balaklava some hope. Towards the end of the quarter, Virginia’s defence were running the ball out with great effect accurate handballing, short passing being a feature of some great possession-type football. Alex Leo at Virginia’s half forward took a great mark and kicked truly to once again have a steadier going into the last quarter. In the final quarter, Balaklava needed a big last effort and started to put pressure on Virginia’s defence – but couldn’t get past their half back line. Time was running out and with George Stillisano still trying hard around the packs across Virginia’s centre and half forward line, they were gaining the upper hand. Michael Pogas and Steven Lioulios kicked great running goals toward the latter half of the quarter to seal Balaklava’s fate. Virginia were first to the ball all day, and with better ball skills had Balaklava – especially in defence – under pressure for most of the game. Nigel Olsen in defence tried hard for Balaklava all day. Virginia had many good players all over the ground, in particular Alex Leo up forward, taking some great overhead marks and Beau Zito with George Stillisano providing plenty of run and hardness at the ball all day to run out deserved winners.
for the quarter to completely dominate the quarter much to the disappointment of Balaklava supporters and coach. This probably put an end to their aspirations of a finals berth this season. For the Rams, with their tackling a highlight and their seven important players all contributing, look certain to not only participate in this year’s finals but to possibly go all the way. Final score: Virginia 22.22 Balaklava 9.12.
reserves
By Pecked Out The match started with Virginia kicking north with a handy breeze, the boys making very good use of it. Attacking first with great use of the handball out of the centre, Alex Leo of Virginia kicked a great goal on the run to get his team on the board quickly. Peter Mylonopolous, Virginia was running well in the centre of the ground and finding plenty of the footy, who along with Beau Zito with his pace and good footpassing, were proving a real handfull for Balaklava. Many opportunities were coming to Virginia’s forwards Maurice and Alex Leo, and with goals in quick succession, Balaklava’s defence was starting to look rattled. Virginia’s captain George Stillisano was playing some fantastic in-and-under type of football around the packs, and proved that attacking hard at the ball gives you first use of it. Only a belated goal to Daniel Tezacker saved Balaklava from a scoreless quarter. With Balaklava six goals behind, they had to do more attacking. With good running goals to Michael Brougham and Jamie Tiller up forward, the second quarter started with a lot of promise. Nigel Olsen at fullback for Balaklava was spoiling well, and with Martin Bond across halfback doing some good mopping up around the packs, Balaklava were starting to make a game of it.
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after games played on May 30 A GRADE Club P Mallala 6 Virginia 6 Two Wells 6 HW Eagles 5 United 6 Balaklava 6 Hamley Bridge 5 RESERVES Club P Two Wells 6 Mallala 6 Balaklava 6 Virginia 6 United 6 Hamley Bridge 5 HW Eagles 5 SENIOR COLTS Club P Balaklava 6 Two Wells 6 United 6 Virginia 6 Mallala 6 HW Eagles 5 Hamley Bridge 5 JUNIOR COLTS Club P Two Wells 6 Mallala 6 Balaklava 6 United 6 HW Eagles 5 Hamley Bridge 5 Virginia 6
W 6 5 4 2 2 1 0
L 0 1 2 3 4 5 5
D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
For 579 662 485 445 484 374 264
Agnst 275 415 417 409 556 481 740
Pts 12 10 8 4 4 2 0
% 67.8 61.47 53.77 52.11 46.54 43.74 26.3
W 6 5 3 2 2 2 0
L 0 1 3 4 4 3 5
D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
For 635 388 300 375 294 206 136
Agnst 154 248 310 427 342 326 527
Pts 12 10 6 4 4 4 0
% 80.48 61.01 49.18 46.76 46.23 38.72 20.51
W 6 4 4 3 2 1 0
L 0 2 2 3 4 4 5
D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
For 572 553 329 472 213 254 96
Agnst 165 310 393 298 411 366 546
Pts 12 8 8 6 4 2 0
% 77.61 64.08 45.57 61.3 34.14 40.97 14.95
W 6 4 3 3 2 1 0
L 0 1 2 3 3 4 6
D 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
For 344 229 295 178 174 168 112
Agnst 91 151 250 261 224 189 334
Pts 12 9 7 6 4 2 0
% 79.08 60.26 54.13 40.55 43.72 47.06 25.11