Another split round in Great Flinders Football last week saw Ramblers come from behind in an important win against Elliston Districts and in the match of the round it proved anything but as United Yeelanna did a number on Tumby Bay on the Blues home deck winning by 68 points.
Wet and windy conditions greeted players at the start of the A Grade game between United Yeelanna and Tumby Bay and the weather wreaked havoc on skills from both sides early in the game with neither side able to hit targets with any precision.
After a scramble opening, United Yeelanna were able to kick the only goal for the quarter via Crettenden to give his side a slender 5 point advantage at quarter time. The second quarter proved to be a different contest as the Eagles went in to overdrive with Martin and Watson taking complete control through the midfield, and Stephen Crettenden proving as real handful across half forward. They piled on 6 goals for the quarter and kept the home side scoreless for the quarter restricting them to just 2 points for the half with Norton, Dyer and Jolly proving impassable across half back. Hudson Franks was providing some run and carry for Tumby, Lawrie was his usual tough in and under self and Higgins and Walker were battling hard to try and keep their side in the contest.
The third quarter proved somewhat of an arm wrestle, but was certainly the best 30 minutes from the Blues for the game as they tightened up in the midfield restricting United Yeelanna to just 1 goal and adding 2 themsleves, but in reality the game was over at half time. Swayne Ackland was battling hard, Calderwood working tirelessly and youngster Henry Challinger showed some good signs.
The Eagles finished the game strongly in the final quarter to add a further 5 goals to their tally as Martin, Glover and Sampson all hit the scoreboard. While the game never really reached any great heights, it was a workmanlike display from the Eagles against an undermanned Tumby Bay side, although both sides were without key players and will look different come finals time.
Xavier Watson was a clear stand out as best on ground, Martin all class, and the Crettendens, Sampson, Dyer and Norton all played important roles. For Tumby Bay, Hudson Franks was excellent, Walker good, and Challinger, McDonald, Josh Cave and Brodie Higgins all had some good moments.
In the second game Ramblers came from behind at 3 quarter time with a big final quarter to win a “4 point” game which has given them some valuable breathing space in 4th spot on the ladder leading in to the second half of the season. Elliston Districts looked sharp early as Gibson and Sheppered opened proceedings with the first 3 goals of the game and Lee and Van Doorn were finding plenty of the ball. They kept Ramblers scoreless in the first term and took a handy 22 point lead in to the first break.
Ramblers made some adjustments early in the 2nd quarter and scored back to back goals through Haarsma and Richardson, but Rosalia responded for the home side to put them back on top. Langley added one late for the Magpies as their back half in Dobbins, Claughton and Starke stood tall to limit scoring opportunities for the Roosters.
The game developed in to a real contest after half time with Kelsh and Dobbins having a great contest in the ruck, but it was the home side who gained the early ascendancy with goals through Rosalia and Van Doorn, but Ramblers responded strongly via back to back goals from James Richardson. Both back lines were working overtime and neither side gave an inch as the game turned in to an enthralling battle and the stage was set for an interesting final term with the margin just 7 points at the final change.
Ramblers kicked an early one through Buchanan and when Haarsma and Bullard kicked truly they were up and about and had hit the front for the first time in the game. They continued to pepper the goals with Richardson adding to his tally to finish with a game high 5 goals and giving his side a 20 point victory at the final siren.
Dobbins was excellent for the winners, Richardson the best forward on the day, and Modra, Claughton, Buchanan and Jack Crettenden all played important roles. The home side were best served by onballer Cooper Van Doorn, Guerin, Forward, Lee and Charlie Gibson who battled hard to keep their side in the contest.
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