Hoppers fall short under lights

GOALS: Rennie: Hamish Curtis 2, Ben Coghill 1, Jarryd Fountain 1, Harry Haley1, Mark Jensen 1, Alex Kealy 1, Chase Strawhorn 1.

Katamatite: Xavier Kennedy 4, Luke Riordan 3, Mark Mills 2, Samuel Poole 2, Samuel Wright 2, Jayson Bigg 1, Patrick Horsburgh 1, Bradley Parnell 1.

BEST: Rennie: Jack Cooke, Hamish Curtis, Jarryd Fountain, Ben Coghill, Paul McCallum, Joseph Ferguson.

Katamatite: Dion Gleeson, Samuel Poole, John Woodcock, Patrick Horsburgh, Ben Bray, Nichol Clurey.

Rennie took on Katamatite at home on Thursday night. Both the seniors and reserves were played under lights in front of a large crowd at Bull Plain Rd.

In the seniors, playing for the Andrew Goldman Cup, Katty took the game away early as they were able to move the ball through the centre square and set up quality looks for their forwards.

Adding to this, the Hoppers lost two players in term one to injury as well as one player short basically all the first half due to some interesting adjudications.

It was Cooke deep in defence and Fountain and Curtis on ball who were keeping the Hoppers in the game. Term 2 saw Rennie even the contest around the ball which released some pressure on its defence but the Hoppers struggled to create gaps in a solid Tigers defence and went in 45 down at half time.

Coach Haley’s message was to stick close and hold your position but weight of numbers saw another 4 goals to 1 in term 3.

Great to see youngsters like Coghill, Ridley and Shaw really come into their own as they were withstanding the pressure applied as well as their more senior teammates.

It was 4 goals each in the final term as Katty won by 72 points with Coghill being the only multiple goalkicker with 2.

Best was Hamish Curtis with incentives sponsored by Kennedy Builders going to Jack Cooke, Ben Coghill, Ollie Ridley and first gamer Harry Hogan.

Reserves

Rennie 9.12.66 defeated Katamatite 1.3.9.

The two’s were having their first run of the season and it looked it as they were poor in the opening term.

They then won the last 3 terms easily to run out victors by 57 points. Lach Elliott and Ben James were the targets up forward kicking 3 each but it was the huge work of Hugh Fisher in the middle, X Dowling being the X factor, and Trinder-James and Mitch Davis who were able to create a lot of opportunities up forward.

Coach Nish was happy with the win in his first game saying the connection will only get better.

Awards: Cellarbrations - Hugh Fisher, Lake Mulwala Bakery – Xave Dowling, Yarrawonga Hotel - Mitch Davis, ClubMulwala - Lach Elliott, Bi Rite Electrical - Zac Garner.

Under 17s

Rennie 1.4.10 defeated by Katamatite 11.7.73.

The three’s didn’t seem to be switched on all day and were comfortably beaten by 63 points. Not much to be said here as they were second to the ball, with Slatts kicking the only goal.

Awards: Murray Valley Rural Services - Luke Slattery, Paternoster Farms - Harry Hogan, Intersport Wingates - Jesse Brogan, Bull Plain Farms - Marcus Van Maanen, C & T Rhodes - Tom Lovel.

Under 14s

Rennie 8.9.57 defeated Katamatite 0.5.5.

Made it 2 out of 2 with a comfortable 52-point win. Had winners all over the ground led by Kasey Magro on ball, with Jasper Rhodes and Finley Strawhorn both having good games. Ollie Nagle kicked 2 goals.

Awards: I &P Ferguson - Max Heffernan, Kennedy Builders - Oliver Nagle, STF Engineering - Levi Phibbs, Jarobee Farms - Finley Strawhorn, Lake Mulwala Bakery - Jasper Rhodes, Rennie Catering Committee - Kasey Magro.

Under 11s

The Under 11s were in the prime-time slot at 5.30pm and had a great time in front of the big crowd. They were flicking the ball around with slick passing and some really good team handball.

Awards: RedAg - Hugo Bott, Bigger Floorworld - Elliot Bye, Eternal Paws - Maddox Oughton, Jarobee Farms - Taylor Lewis.

Thanks to all the amazing volunteers who did brilliantly on Thursday night, the lights were sensational and the crowd large.

Back at home this Saturday to take on Waaia.