U9

BYE

BJFC V WAVERLY BLUES

The Under 11s played the Waverley Blues, but this time we were at home. It was Sean’s 50^th game, and he won the toss as Captain and we kicked to the railway end, with a slight breeze. The weather was threatening, but it had not really rained prior to the start of our game.

The boys had plenty of time to warm-up, and we were hopeful of getting a good start after the Waverley Blues had got the better of us in the first quarter, last time we played. We had plenty of the play, with Tito playing his first game for the club starting in the ruck. Our forward line was open, and our run from half back through the centre was great. We just could not seem to capitalise on the scoreboard, with a couple of shots unlucky to just miss. Our backline was standing up to the pressure when the ball came down, with Ryan playing in front on several occasions when the ball came in quickly. At quarter time we had a 1 point lead.

We didn’t manage to score in the second quarter, but our backline continued to play tight and restrict opportunities for the Waverley Blues. They kicked a good goal from a mark, but the rest of the quarter was very even. We had a few U10s helping us out, as they had a bye, and JJ was getting plenty of touches at Half Forward. Jacob was doing his job in the Back Pocket, and Lachie was helping crowd their forward line. At half time we were 8 points down, but we were still right in the game.

The rain started coming down after half time, but the game opened up and each team seemed to be able to run the ball and find some space. Tom and Sean kicked good goals, with Ben sneaking in for one while playing in the forward line.

Waverley Blues managed 2 against the run of play – one very dubious goal umpiring decision paying a goal when everyone (including the goal umpire to start with) thought it was a point. The wind was still there, but it definitely wasn’t as strong, and the boys felt they had a good chance to win being down by only 1 point at three quarter time.

It was a tight last quarter, with the scores drawing level several times, and both teams having their chances to seal a win. Tom kicked another goal, and other chances just missed or were rushed through for points. Riley and Ben were providing good drive from the centre, getting first use of the ball from Tito’s ruckwork. The boys kept at it all day, and despite a terrible free kick paid against us, we managed to hold on for a 1 point win. There were a couple of notable efforts to provide a contest, especially Max, who had at least 3 efforts to handball or tackle in one play.

I was extremely pleased to see the endeavour of the players for all 4 quarters. It was also great that they kept their cool (even if the coaching staff didn’t) following some poor decisions. Jake played a great game at Full Back, and probably saved the game in the last 30 seconds by not rushing through a behind. Sean had a fantastic 50^th game, and was unlucky not to have more than 1 goal (with one poster and one shot touched on the line).

I know it’s school holidays, but we have another tough game next week against the top team. We will have training on Friday night for anyone that can get there, and look forward to a great contest at home next week.

Bayswater 4.10-34 def Waverley Blues 4.9-33

Goals: Tom 2, Sean, Ben

Best Players: Riley, Ben, Sean, Ryan, Tito, Max

Coach: Chris

CROYDON V BAYSWATER

We travelled to Barngeong Reserve to take on Croydon with a full list of 18. Half way through the first a Croydon player was carried off which gave us the unusual advantage of having more players on the field. It was a good tussle between the teams but unfortunately Bayswater didn’t have either the urgency or desire to win the hard footy so Croydon led us at the first break 1.4.10 to nothing.

Our intensity did lift and we started to win more of the footy around the ground and our back line was brilliant led by Matt Adams and Jamie with Billy working hard as well. Neither team could manage a score in the 2^nd and things were getting a bit heated on the field. After half time Bayswater again lifted but could only manage a solitary behind while Croydon kicked another goal to lead us by 18 points. A few changes were made for the last quarter and I asked the boys to give 100% for each other and the last quarter was simply magnificent with everyone running. Taylor backed himself with a run and bounce through the middle which as a coach is fantastic to see and Matt helped himself to 2 goals with some hard running. We came up short but to all the boys credit you put in the hard yards and made all of us spectators extremely proud. With only 2 rounds left for the season lets put in and strive for a win!

Croydon 2.7.19 def Bayswater 2.1.13

Best: Kane, Andrew, Matt, Jamie, Sanden, Luke

Goals: Matt 2

Coach: Greg

Round 12 v Glen Waverley Hawks

Q1: We travelled to Glen Waverley and played on their massive home ground. With a few games left in the home and away season we knew that the opposition would treat this as a grand final to test themselves against a finals contender. We one the toss and kicked with a strong wind and we set the game up with some great team work and run out of the centre and backline. We pushed the ball forward many times and if we could have held our marks the score line would have been a much better result.

Bayswater 4.4.28 - GW Hawks 0.1.1

Q2: Kicking into the stiff wind it was all about running hard and linking up with handball to keep the ball moving freely. Our backline was on top in the first quarter and again they stood up as the opposition tried hard to kick goals. Stopping many of Glen Waverley’s attacks we managed to get a few goals into the wind with some great team work.

Bayswater 7.7.49 - GW Hawks 2.2.14

Q3: The wind had now eased off and what was a 4 to 5 goal advantage was now only a 1 to 2 goal assist. The opposition started to win the ball out of the centre and around the stoppages as we stood back a little rather than taking the initiative to win our own ball. We finally got back on top and out scored Glen Waverley thanks to some great defence by all those in the backline.

Bayswater 10.8. 68 - GW Hawks 3.3.21

Q4: Going into the last quarter we wanted to make sure we out scored them in every quarter and get our running game up and going. It took some time to stop the persistence of the opposition in what was a very hard game. Unfortunately we kicked badly but still got the job done in what was a fantastic hit out for our guys to play coming up to finals soon.

Bayswater 12.12.84 defeated GW Hawks 4.3.27

U15