Panton Hill: 12.12-84Hurstbridge: 13.13-91
Goal Kickers: B. Gill 5, J. Whitcher 3, D. Strickland, J. Lyngcoln, J. Braunton, T. Power
Best Players: G. Mc Auliffe, B. Strongman, R. Parkinson, D. Strickland, S. Sykes, K. Jones
It’s the biggest rivalry in Panton Hill football. At least once a season for many years the Redbacks have fought in tough contests against the mob at the end of the train line, with the winner claiming the Ben Friley Trophy. Hurstbridge are always just as fired up as our boys, and the games often bring out the best in both sides.
This time around it was the Hurstbridge boys who reclaimed the bragging rights, with the match in the balance until the final siren. It was a very see-sawing affair, with both teams wrestling the momentum at different stages in the match, with the Hills down by three goals at the three quarter time break, which set the scene for a big final quarter at our home ground.
As the end of the match drew closer the Redbacks had regained the momentum with a few quick goals and were threatening to take the points deep into time on when a chain of disappointing events led to the Hurstbridge side putting the result beyond doubt with a quick goal in the final minute as the Panton Hill boys looked on helplessly. When the siren blew with the Hills going down by 7 points the team and its supporters were visibly gutted, as another huge chance had gone begging.
As to be expected in such a close and fierce match, there were many individual performances to be highlighted. None more so than crowd favourite Stringer, who was best on for the Hills, providing a steady super-fist in the backline without which the Redbacks may have found the game beyond reach much earlier in the day. Equally effective was (guess who) Captain Ben who continues to lead by example though the middle of the ground.
Another steady performer, young playmaker Parko worked hard all day in driving the Panton Hill side forward and showing off some silky skills, while Danny Strickland proved that his previous performance was no flash in the pan. Expect more tough outings from Stricko in the future.
Shane Sykes was another experienced campaigner who provided an honest contribution, whilst 2009 new-comer Kalev Jones repaid the coaches faith with his best performance of the year thus far.
It’s also worth mentioning the useful goal kicking return from Benny Gill, who casually slotted five majors for the home side, and kept the Hills in the game when Hurstbridge threatened to pull away.
Our boys will be under the pump on Saturday when they travel to Epping to face a Blues team seething after a loss to Diamond Creek last week. Panton Hill remain at 12th on the league ladder, with just a relatively healthy percentage keeping them ahead of Reservoir and Heidelberg West.
RESERVES FAIL TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Panton Hill: 8.7-55
Hurstbridge: 14.13-97
Goal Kickers: M. Poulton 4, D. Collins 2, D. Bee 2
It’s the biggest rivalry in Panton Hill football. At least once a season for many years the Redbacks have fought in tough contests against the mob at the end of the train line, with the winner claiming the Ben Friley Trophy. Hurstbridge are always just as fired up as our boys, and the games often bring out the best in both sides.
This time around it was the Hurstbridge boys who reclaimed the bragging rights, with the match in the balance until the final siren. It was a very see-sawing affair, with both teams wrestling the momentum at different stages in the match, with the Hills down by three goals at the three quarter time break, which set the scene for a big final quarter at our home ground.
As the end of the match drew closer the Redbacks had regained the momentum with a few quick goals and were threatening to take the points deep into time on when a chain of disappointing events led to the Hurstbridge side putting the result beyond doubt with a quick goal in the final minute as the Panton Hill boys looked on helplessly. When the siren blew with the Hills going down by 7 points the team and its supporters were visibly gutted, as another huge chance had gone begging.
As to be expected in such a close and fierce match, there were many individual performances to be highlighted. None more so than crowd favourite Stringer, who was best on for the Hills, providing a steady super-fist in the backline without which the Redbacks may have found the game beyond reach much earlier in the day. Equally effective was (guess who) Captain Ben who continues to lead by example though the middle of the ground.
Another steady performer, young playmaker Parko worked hard all day in driving the Panton Hill side forward and showing off some silky skills, while Danny Strickland proved that his previous performance was no flash in the pan. Expect more tough outings from Stricko in the future.
Shane Sykes was another experienced campaigner who provided an honest contribution, whilst 2009 new-comer Kalev Jones repaid the coaches faith with his best performance of the year thus far.
It’s also worth mentioning the useful goal kicking return from Benny Gill, who casually slotted five majors for the home side, and kept the Hills in the game when Hurstbridge threatened to pull away.
Our boys will be under the pump on Saturday when they travel to Epping to face a Blues team seething after a loss to Diamond Creek last week. Panton Hill remain at 12th on the league ladder, with just a relatively healthy percentage keeping them ahead of Reservoir and Heidelberg West.
RESERVES FAIL TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Panton Hill: 8.7-55
Hurstbridge: 14.13-97
Goal Kickers: M. Poulton 4, D. Collins 2, D. Bee 2
Best Players: M. Poulton, D. Collins, T. Coleman, R. Fry, K. Gilmore, D. Bee
With Jono unable to attend Saturday’s showdown with Hurstbridge, senior player and assistant coach Justin Whitcher stepped into the role of reserves coach for the day with assistance from sidelined skipper Ty Dummett. The side handled this possible distraction well, jumping out of the blocks in the first quarter, to give the side belief for much of the game.
However, the Redbacks reserves ran out of legs later in the match, and what could have been a win turned in to a sizable loss that did no justice to the hard working Hills. The final quarter was again the side’s Achilles heel, with Hurstbridge finding easy routes to goal and effectively doubling their score after three quarter time.
The players were buoyed by some great individual performances up forward, with Stumpy kicking four goals in his first game for the year, also earning him a best on ground nomination. Stumpy was well supported by Big Dylan who has improved in his role as a major focal point close to goal.
Trenta and Russ Fry led the team through the other parts of the ground with Trent nullifying dangerous opponents and Russell providing many attacking moves into the forward 50. Stand-in skipper Kane Gilmore also provided good support and leadership in the packs, while Dom responded well to a three-quarter time rocket and was easily the best player for the Redbacks in the final quarter, pushing his case for a senior recall.
A trip to Epping on Saturday will prove to be difficult as the reserves team find themselves in a similar position to the seniors, in 12th position on the ladder, with figures of 0-4, facing a Blues team looking to rebound after a loss to Diamond Creek. Make sure you make the trip this week and be at the ground early to give the boys the support they need.
With Jono unable to attend Saturday’s showdown with Hurstbridge, senior player and assistant coach Justin Whitcher stepped into the role of reserves coach for the day with assistance from sidelined skipper Ty Dummett. The side handled this possible distraction well, jumping out of the blocks in the first quarter, to give the side belief for much of the game.
However, the Redbacks reserves ran out of legs later in the match, and what could have been a win turned in to a sizable loss that did no justice to the hard working Hills. The final quarter was again the side’s Achilles heel, with Hurstbridge finding easy routes to goal and effectively doubling their score after three quarter time.
The players were buoyed by some great individual performances up forward, with Stumpy kicking four goals in his first game for the year, also earning him a best on ground nomination. Stumpy was well supported by Big Dylan who has improved in his role as a major focal point close to goal.
Trenta and Russ Fry led the team through the other parts of the ground with Trent nullifying dangerous opponents and Russell providing many attacking moves into the forward 50. Stand-in skipper Kane Gilmore also provided good support and leadership in the packs, while Dom responded well to a three-quarter time rocket and was easily the best player for the Redbacks in the final quarter, pushing his case for a senior recall.
A trip to Epping on Saturday will prove to be difficult as the reserves team find themselves in a similar position to the seniors, in 12th position on the ladder, with figures of 0-4, facing a Blues team looking to rebound after a loss to Diamond Creek. Make sure you make the trip this week and be at the ground early to give the boys the support they need.
