Tungamah travelled to Picola on Saturday looking to extend their unbeaten streak against a Blues team that was also undefeated.
The Bears started well with the breeze and were all over the home side with their pressure and ball movement a highlight.
The Bears kicked the first 5 goals of the game and were in total control of the contest at quarter time 5.5 to 0.2.
It was more of the same to start the second term as Tungamah looked to put the contest beyond doubt. The Bears kicked the first couple of goals of the quarter, however a 10-minute lapse allowed Picola back into the game.
They kicked 4 goals during this period and trailed by 4 at the main change. Tungamah weren’t about to let this game slip and came out firing in the 3rd term, dominating play and piling on 6 goals to 1 to effectively end the contest.
The last quarter was a bit of a non-event as the rain started to fall, making scoring difficult and the game fizzled out with the Bears adding a further 2 goals to run out comfortable winners 17.17.119 to 6.6.42. Once again Ash Saunders was the focal point in front of goal with 5, he was ably assisted by the evergreen veteran Chris Powell with 3.
Dylan Robinson continued his great start to the season with another fine display to take the Best on Ground honours. James Reilly is another who has been in great touch and his work around the ground in the Ruck was again first rate.
Sean Johns, Dale Powell and Sam Ferguson led the engine room and knocked up getting touches, while Dylan Scott provided his usual run and carry from defence, he is a very consistent contributor.
Another great team performance and we look forward to hosting Mathoura next weekend.
Yarrawonga Toyota Player of the Year: 3 D Robinson, 2 S Ferguson, 1 J Reilly.
Awards: Mulwala Bakery - Cam Carling, One Zach - Jye Holcomb and Tungamah Hotel - James Reilly.
Reserves
Picola United 1.3 – 9 def by Tungamah 15.9 – 99.
A new week and a new look ‘Lunchtime Legends’ saw Tungamah robbing players from the cradle and the grave as the reserves called in some “experienced” players and topped up with a handful of thirds. As a small community club, it’s always nice to give back to major sponsors, so Dean from Red Centre was given a guernsey and told to take the field, a gesture that the scribe is sure was well received from the family.
The ressies were also able to utilise the father son rule and draft young R. Holcombe who come with an interesting warning on his clearance. (Worth a read).
Dan Clarke is now happily taking cash or card charging his opponents tickets to the Noong show, as he dominated in his new role as ruck man. He also tried his hand at a bit of osteopathy offering some free dislocations.
Darcy Hicks was running on top of the ground early, slotting the Bears first goal Ronaldo style, but then turned to focusing on running his mouth as he gave the big boys a bit of an ear massage.
The Jackson/Jaxon pair cause plenty of headaches for the coach’s whether it is having correct spelling of the name or convincing players you have to train to be that good.
As both continue to dominate on the ground despite limited appearances on the track.
With rotations being self-managed, Hawk put the board down and took to the field proving he’s still got it… well most of it.
As a pack formed deep in the last quarter, the day’s hero was seen to take a few steps back to improve the run up and then launched almost getting all stops clear of the grass.
The forwards were treated to some silver service with Rangi delivering the ball, a far cry from the Oscar Pistorius trying to kick in the toilet door style, they generally receive.
Noone enjoyed the 5-star service more than Hendo, enjoying a few easy grabs out in front and slotting a lazy 7. Although a few lessons in humility were learnt as well.
If you’re going to let your opponent know what an amazing athlete you are and give him a pat on the head, don’t go tits up after you do it.
Good to be back on the winners list, thanks to the thirds boys for filling in and managing to still provide the fresh legs at the end of the game.
Also thanks to Telstra for the poor phone reception so that those old boys couldn’t ring their wives and be talked out of playing at that age.
Goals: J. Henderson 7, D. Clarke 3, T. Hayes 2, D. Hicks 2, J. Baker 1.
Best: D. Clarke, T. Hayes, J. Raven, M. Hughes, J. Baker, J. Henderson.
Thirds
Picola United 3.2.20 def by Tungamah 13.9.87.
Picola welcomed the Bears for an enjoyable day under cloudy conditions perfect for footy.
Tungamah were coming off a good win last week and were keen to keep their good form rolling along. The Bears kicked with the wind in the first quarter and opened up a handy break scoring 4-goals.
The second quarter was much tighter with both sides kicking 2 goals each with all players going hard at the ball.
The third quarter saw the Bears take advantage of the breeze to put another 4 majors on the board and stretch the margin even more.
Sidey and Cossy asked the boys to dig deep, run the game out and to work hard into the wind which they did and scored 3 goals for the quarter to end up with an 11-goal win.
Xander Smith had his best game for the season gathering many hard ball possessions and driving the ball forward regularly. Jack Costigan was strong up forward also having a run on the ball.
Tom Coffey was solid in the ruck and snuck forward to kick 3 goals of his own. The backline held up all game with Mick Hughes dominating at centre half back well supported by Dan Nieuwenhout, Kade Micheal, Jack Parker and Darcy Cox.
Jayden Arnold and Jacko Raven had heaps of the ball driving it out of the centre and creating many scoring opportunities.
It was a great team effort with all players contributing. The younger players coming up from the under 14’s last season have surprised everyone with their skills and strength competing against older and larger opponents and playing with confidence.
Goals: Jack Costigan 4, Tom Coffey 3, Lenny Lonergan 2, Jake Walker 2, Jayden Arnold 1, Xander Smith 1.
Awards: Coaches Award - Xander Smith, Hemphill family Award - Dan Nieuwenhout, McQualter/Whyte family Award - Tom Coffey, Seniors Award - Jack Costigan, Credit Union Award - Lenny Lonergan and Tungamah Shop Award - Kade Michael.
Fourths
Picola United 0.0. 0 def by Tungamah 19.15.129.
Goals: L. Wren 7, C. Payne 2, S. Bainikoro 2, T. Ussher 2, L. O'Brien 1, S. Kirchen 1, Z. Ussher 1, J. Bamford 1, S. Goudie 1, N. Dickins 1.
Best: L. Wren, S. Bainikoro, L. O'Brien, X. Chessells, T. Ussher, C. Payne.
