It was a close one in the Goldfields, with the visiting Monarchs just taking the win over the home town Prospectors. @Tylo More details to come.
Full Time: Banchang v Serengeti Serengeti have run away with the win after a very impressive final quarter and take the 4 points back home to Tanzania. They were well served by a midfield full of talent with Parish 138, Heppell 115 and Merrett 114 taking control, while Thomas 108, playing forward, had one of his better games. The only downside was an ankle injury to Kelly, who may miss a few games and Cunningham, a late out, who had to quarantine due to local Covid rules. For the locals, a welcome return to form for Peter Wright 139, with 3 goals up front, and well supported by LDU 99, Elliott 97, and Dawson down back with 94. Final score....... Serengeti 1411 def Banchang 1232. This win sees the Buffaloes move up to 5th on the ladder, and are home to Nuytsland next round, while the Barcrawlers slip to 7th.and host Cow Bay. BOG: 3. Wright BB 139 2. Parish SB 138 1. Dangerfield SB 134 BIG TAP: Lycett BB def Draper SB 87-64 @wrightbrendan
Bunyips 1180 defeated by Barracudas 1412 The SA Premier put a hard COVID lockdown on the state which almost caused a forfeit to this match. The Bunyips locals and the resident biker gang were having none of that as I believe sizable bets were placed against the home side. Backroads were opened and the visiting Barracudas were escorted through to the playing fields. Whilst the Barracudas had received a few "pep talks" from the local bikers on the way to the match, it seems to have worked a trick with the visitors comfortably getting the win. The Bunyips were missing players in Defence and Midfield which seems to be the norm this year. Standout performances from Walsh (193) and Kelly (117) and Holman (95) for the homeside were the shining lights and scored well above their season averages. For the visitors it was all about the milestone man, playing his 300th match for the Barracudas, Jack Riewoldt kicking 6 goals and top scoring with 129. Hawkins (128) and Graham (120) also had a field day. ROB (100) dominated in the ruck against Ryder (69) to take the Big Tap. BOG - Walsh 3 Riewoldt - 2 Hawkins - 1 Lets hope the borders open up again soon and that the Barracudas got home safely
Hughenden Prairie Dogs 1,113 defeat Horsham Grenades 937 Hughenden finished with a big win over the visiting Grenades but it was a struggle. Covid arrived at the Dino Dome, forcing Mills into isolation before the game Thilthorpe was feeling the rigors of the past few weeks and didn’t take the field, leaving the home team down to 13 players. An inspiring speech from the coach set the boys alight and they were able to cover the gaps, the usual brigade of Oliver (139), Ward (101), Mayne (122), Yeo (100) and newcomer IQ (104) were impressive and you could’ve believed Hughenden actually had 15 players. Horsham just couldn’t get anything going all day, the players looked flat with only Fiorini (107) and Georgides (95) showing any flair. Newly arrived ruck Reeves (49) tried hard but was no match against Ratugolea (79). Hughenden will be pleased to escape with a win and remaining in the 8 while Horsham will be pleased to see the end of the season and the 2022 draft. BAFFU Awards 3 Oliver, Hughenden (139) 2 Mayne, Hughenden (122) 1 Fiorini Horsham (107) @Wolffy84
Cow Bay 1,183 def Xmas Island 953 A 230 point win to the Crocs but it was against a 12 man Smuggler team. Had a full opposition team turned up for the match at Cow Bay, the result surely would've been much closer match and may have been very different. The Crocs were led by DeGoey (114), Noble (114), Bolton (107) and Worpel (100). The midfield clicked niclely with Taranto (94) and Hopper (91) providing great support to Worpel and Bolton. Forwards Martin (98) and Moore (83) roved at the bottom of packs while Spargo (73) did more than was expected of him. The Smugglers saw strong performances from Lever (117), BCrouch (114), and Stringer (108). Although Crouch was lone man in the middle, DeKoning (88) won hitouts easily against an inexperienced opponent. Webster (99) and Bonner (98) saw plenty of the ball in the back half and golden oldie Birchall (74) did his best to keep up with the youngsters. Big Tap Williams (32) def by DeKoning (88) BAFFU 3 Lever (Xmas Island) 117 2/1 BCrouch (Xmas Island), DeGoey (Cow Bay), Noble (Cow Bay) 114 The win gives Cow Bay their 7th win and they move into 10th spot. Finals are out of reach for the team this year. Next week the Crocs travel to Banchang. The loss sees Xmas Island remain in 15th spot and they host Southern X next week.
MATCH REPORT: In a very uninspiring start to the match between Banchang and Cow Bay, where no player from either side played up to anywhere near their potential, when the siren sounded, the Barcrawlers were ahead of the Crocs 4/271 to 3/172 . @fresh
The Buffaloes have had a severe case of stage fright and resorted to messing with the Vikings lineup in an attempt to cover up their own poor performance. Serengeti 154/3/51 v Nuytsland 0/0/0 @bryzza
The Barracuda's are on 607/8 75.8 to the Bulls @tyze1 on 735/10 73.5 Don't know if it's COVID or this wild, wild weather but some players have relished it and others, well not so much. Still plenty of play to come, with both teams slugging it out on the newly named paddock called mud pit.
Progress Report from The Stadium..... After an uninspiring start to the game, the visiting Crocs have come out firing in this period and put the local Barcrawlers to the sword. With 140 from Jones off the bench and 115 from Moore, in one of his better games, Worpel followed suit later in this stanza with 90 to all but extinguish whatever flame Banchang thought they may have, to reignite their quest for a win. Too much was left to the usual suspects, Doedee 111and Lyons 100 for this Club to achieve their dream. Although 2 young players in the Reserves, Ladhams 95 and Hamill 71, showed enough to suggest 2022 may be a better season, if the injury toll can be reduced. Cow Bay 12/914 lead Banchang 12/840, with Dawson, Reid and Wright for Banchang to make up the 74 deficit over Bolton Hopper and Taranto for the visitors in the final stanza. A bridge too far.......maybe? @fresh
The Vikings are relishing a visit to The Crater and taking it as an opportunity to show that they will have plenty to say about how season 2021 unfolds Serengeti 657/8/82 v Nuytsland 1187/12/99 @bryzza
You still have 6 players to come that can go large and they all average over 100, game is still in your hands
Let's compromise and hope the Buffalo Bombers score poorly but Essendon Bombers come out comfortably on top!
Update from the Horsham V Coolgardie match: Horsham 969/13 (average 75) Coolgardie 1044/11 (average 95)
Viking backup forwards playing inspired footy while Captain Danger is doing his best to inspire a comeback Serengeti 657/8/82 v Nuytsland 1369/14/98 @bryzza
the Vikings have put in a thoroughly impressive effort while the Buffaloes left too much to too few and couldn’t get close in the end Nuytsland 1480 def Serengeti 1315 full match report to follow @bryzza