Round 10: Hills triumph in local derby

Panton Hill: 13.7-85
Hurstbridge: 10.14-74

Goal Kickers: J. Whitcher 3, C. Cahir 2, J. White 2, T. Power 2, J. Ballock, R. Parkinson, M. Peck, D. Pratt
Best Players: T. Power, W. Box, C. Cahir, J. Whitcher, S. Huf, J. Ballock.

After a week’s break, and with the friendly rivalry that is the Rebacks v the Bridges, a big crowd headed up the hill on Saturday afternoon for the local derby. With a growing list of injuries, the Hill’s fielded somewhat of a new look side, with seven changes and four of them new players.

In a season that has all but slipped away, on Thursday night Coach Ramsay pleaded with us to make something of the second half; and when the game got underway it looked like message had sunk in. Within a matter of minutes, Whitesnake (returning from eight weeks on the sidelines with a broken finger) had the first goal on the board and Witcher the second for the Hills.

At quarter time the Hills had a four goal break due to some impressive work in the centre by the Redbacks and some undisciplined acts by Hurstbridge. The tempo lifted in the second term and the Bridges were able to peg back a few at the scoring end and had narrowed the margin by the main break. Having been in similar positions in previous games and letting them slip, Gary warned against any complacency in the second half.

The second half ebbed and flowed and at times it seemed that the Bridges could possibly take control against the relatively inexperience Redbacks. To our credit the boys held strong in defence and were always able to find the answers when the Bridges threatened.

Tim ‘Max’ Power played the game of his life providing run and spark right across the ground, easily best a field and two goals to ‘boot’. Will Box was taking trade‘marks’ across half back in the final term and cut off several attacks by the Bridges. After a week in the reserves, Chris Cahir was great up and down the wing and JB was well and truly back in form. Until half time Gunny was supberb with his run out of the back line, but devastatingly rolled an ankle and was rushed off to the sperm bank….. I mean hospital, which turned out to be a broken foot.

The end result was a narrow 11 point victory to Panton Hill and as the song was blasted over the PA the crowd sung with gusto.


SCOREBOARD FLATTERS HURSTY RESERVES

Panton HilL: 1.4-10
Hurstbridge: 19.17-131

Goal Kickers: T. Dummett
Best Players: B. Hathaway, G. Wise, B. Wilson, L. Walsh, M. Constantine, T. Dummett

As with all games against Hurstbridge, there was a big build up this match, on a day where cross-town rivalry was alive and well at the Hill. The match was hard fought from the start, as the Hills made the effort to ensure a contest, all to aware of the dangers of not being switched on early. The majority of the game was played between the two attacking zones as both teams’ defence stood up well against continual assaults from the opposition. The result was a relatively even first half, with the Redbacks being within reach at the half time break, although Henry’s team had been able to find targets in the forward line more often than the Hills.

To Panton Hill’s credit, the effort continued into the second half, although the effects of inferior match fitness and skill soon started to show, as the Hurstbridge side began to win the hard ball and were able to hit their full forward on the chest more often than not. The Redbacks struggled to get the ball into their attacking zone, and as a result the second half became a one sided affair on the scoreboard, and the Hills were slowly outclassed.

It was noted by Jono that the boys had given all they had, and could not fault his team’s performance, conceding that the Hurstbridge team were fitter and more skilful on the day, which is a good summation of the performance.

Blair Hathaway had a good day out for the Hills, and was named best on for his efforts through the middle of the ground. Blair has been improving each week since his first game earlier in the season, which is the result of hard work on the training track and plenty of commitment to the contest on game day. Well done Blair.

Ben ‘Willow’ Wilson came into the side this week after being relieved of senior duties, and did not disappoint. Willow brought plenty of hardness to the contests around the ground and was instrumental in winning the hard ball gets through the middle, along with the usual suspects in Parrot, Ty and Trenta.

Walshy had a tough task at full back as his opponent had the luxury of many lace-out deliveries in front of goal, and Walshy performed well under this pressure, and was well assisted for the duration of the match by Conno, who returned this week from injury. Much to the delight of the fans ‘Duffy’ pulled on the boots this week after a couple of years, and was of good assistance to the back line for most of the game. Hopefully he enjoyed himself and will continue on for the black and red.

Next week the boys will be tackling a tough competitor across town when they visit the mud patch at Thomastown. The Redbacks will need the support of the fans, so make the drive over Plenty Road on Saturday if you can.