Bears maintain winning ways

Goals: Tungamah: N. Lawless 3, A. Saunders 3, M. O'Kane 3, J. Irvine 2, L. Williams 1, W. Sharp 1, D. Symes 1, T. Irvine 1.

Picola United: C. Haub 1, B. Jorgensen 1.

Best: Tungamah: D. O'Kane, N. Lawless, J. Chapman, D. Symes, S. Ferguson, J. Cooper.

Picola United: J. Morrison, B. Turpin, C. Langley, S. Solar, C. Barnes, C. Hindle.

Saturday saw Tungamah play host to Picola United. The visitors came into the game with 5 wins and 3 losses for the season and firmly entrenched in the top 8.

Tungamah are currently sitting atop the ladder not having lost a game and after a gutsy come from behind win against Jerilderie last week, were keen to keep their unblemished record intact.

The Bears started well in an open first quarter, there was plenty of space and the ball was zinging around with open forward lines at both ends.

The Bears defence was working well, and the forward line looked dangerous kicking 5 goals, 8 behinds for the term to lead by that amount at the first change.

Picola looked to push more numbers back in the second term in an effort to slow the Bears scoring down. It had the desired effect as the home side struggled to work through the congestion 30 to 40 metres from goal.

The end result was the Bears kicked 3 goals and another 5 behinds for the term with the Picola flooding making it almost impossible for them to score, in fact they ended the half not scoring.

With the game effectively over as a contest at half time coach Stevenson urged his troops to continue their hard running and stick to the team structures in the second half.

The 3rd term was Tungamah’s best as they dominated the play kicking another 5 goals to Picola’s none. The game petered out in the last term and Picola broke even with both sides kicking 2:4 for the quarter. Des O’Kane continued his fine form, marking just about everything that came his way and rarely making an error with his disposal.

Nick Irvine is really building into the season and was again a dominant force in the midfield, with his partner in crime Sam Ferguson not far behind.

Josh Chapman set up a lot attacking moves off the half back line, while James Lawless was again Tungamah’s best tall defender picking up where he left off after a week away.

Damon Symes was a threat either in the ruck or up forward, while Jhett Cooper worked hard and looked dangerous up forward.

Overall, it was a pleasing performance with best players hard to pick as everyone contributed to the win.

Awards: Tungamah Hotel - D O’Kane, Ski Club - T Irvine, Cellarbrations - J Cooper, Mixt Kitchen - D Symes, Aerial - J Lawless, TFNC Meal - N Irvine.

Reserves

Tungamah 14.19.103 defeated Picola United 1.0.6.

With Covid/flu gripping a few boys this week a few needed the extra day to be tip top for walkabout. Matt Bourke continues to serve up plenty of quality getting more kicks than a blind kickboxer.

Gambi was spotted trying to negotiate a percentage of the gate takings after he was amongst the best players for a third week straight arguing the crowd was coming to see him perform.

It was great to see Rangi back on the park, but he will be hard pressed to keep his spot after his performance on Saturday, and may be dropped to the seniors in the coming weeks.

Braydon had more cut offs than a Mohel. Giving the Picola boys no forward entries before half time.

The real reason everyone was there was to watch the great Shane Thomson play his 450th club game. The old boys turned it on for the milestone with Buggsy showing he has a bit left in the reserve and might have what it takes to get to the milestone as well.

But it was all about the great man and didn’t he deliver? He was instrumental in keeping the Bears in the game early with his trademark tenacity and determination on show for all.

In the dying minutes of the game, he was thrown forward to bolster the forward line. With Tungamah 5 points down the ever-courageous Thomson took a true champions grab, diving backwards at full stretch and reeling it in in his fingertips.

As he walked back to assess his options the final siren sounded. The grandstand fell silent, and all eyes were on the man of the moment (even with the first leg of the quaddie running).

With a strong head wind, 65 meters out and hemmed in on the boundary the old work horse tilted the ball to 45 degrees and let fly the most precise torp ever seen in the PDFNL to get the boys over the line. A great inspiration to all the young kids that dreams really can come true (you might just have to hang onto that dream for 450 games).

Congratulations Shane Thomson on an amazing 450 games.

Goals: J. Henderson 2, J. Reilly 2, M. Powell 2, N. Waite 1, T. Hayes 1, B. Irvine 1, J. O'Shea 1, D. Johnson 1, M. Bourke 1, J. Saunders 1, S. Thomson 1.

Best: M. Bourke, N. Gamble, J. Buerckner, T. Hayes, B. Beaton, S. Thomson.

Awards: Club Mulwala – Nick Gamble, One Zach – Josh Buerckner, Yarrawonga Pilates - Matt Bourke, Bell’s Cafe – Shane Thomson, Wingates - Travis Hayes and TFNC Meals - Brayden Beaton.

Thirds

Tungamah 12.10.82 defeated Picola United 2.6.18.

The Bears took on Picola at home in top end of the ladder clash. The boys came out ready to go and slotted 5 goals in the first quarter.

It was a tough match with Picola having some big boys and handy enough players running around. Again, the back line held strong and only allowed Picola 2 goals for the game. Hicksy's 2 bounce dash out of full back and 50m kick was something to remember.

The midfield players worked hard and were able to drive the ball into the forward line regularly with Loch Phillips proving a hand full kicking 9 goals.

Good tough game with all players contributing to the win which was great to watch.

Goals: Loch Phillips 9, Darcy Cox 1, Xander Smith 1 and Harvey Thomson 1.

Best: L. Phillips, B. Cummins, t. costigan, X. Smith, A. Williams, T. Coffey

Awards: Coaches award - Loch Phillips, Beaton Family award - Beau Cummins, Beaton Family award - Tom Costigan, Yarrawonga Bakery award - Xander Smith, Tungamah General Store - Alec Williams, McQualter/Whyte Family award - Geoff Montgomery, Yarra Fish and Chips award - Tom Coffee, Ricky D's Pizza award - Dan O'Brien.

Fourths

Tungamah 11.19.85 defeated Picola United 2.0.12.

Goals: J. Walker 3, L. Lonergan 2, L. Eales 2, B. Doyle 1, T. Saunders 1, T. Ussher 1, B. Grant 1, J. Bamford 1.

Best: L. Eales, D. Wood, T. Ussher, J. Walker, G. Richmond, K. Michael.

Awards: Coaches Sock Award - Aaron Walker, Crusty Loaf - Nate Dickins, Yarrawonga Fish and Chips - Finn Wood, Thirsty Lures - Braith Goudie, Tungamah General Store - Zade Ussher, McDonald’s - Kade Michael, Yarrawonga Golf Club - Declan Wood.

5ths/Bear Cubs

Awards: Crusty Loaf - Isaac McLarty, Yarrawonga Fish and Chips - Travis Hook, Tungamah General Store- Noah L and Dom T and McDonald’s - Finn and Ned O’Brien.