Emerald’s Luke McKenna contested the ruck against Yarra Junction’s Nathan Fall.By Bill Kuys
IT WAS crunch time for Emerald on Saturday, needing a win to stay in touch with the top five.
During a Pink Footy Day match, the Bombers came out strong taking Yarra Junction by surprise.
Emerald’s young on-ballers were too quick for Yarra Junction’s mid field and their defence stood strong.
Ten scoring shots to three in the first quarter saw the Bombers lead by 27 points.
Emerald continued to outshine Yarra Junction and showed great team spirit throughout the match.
Despite a last quarter charge by Yarra Junction, the Bombers had set three-quarter buffer to come out on top at the final siren.
Emerald 10-14-74 d Yarra Junction 7-12-54
Goals: Three goals to Matt Livermoore, two to Vaughan Geddes and one each to Steven Cusworth, Michael Scoon, Clinton Marsh, John Noonan and David Reilly.
Best Players: Matt Livermoore, Michael Scoon, Alex Hellriegel, Jesse Mather, John Noonan and David Reilly
Reserves
With that elusive top spot up for grabs, Yarra Junction fought hard against the Bombers in a tight affair.
Emerald put a mostly unchanged side on the ground that was confident of maintaining the Bombers undefeated track.
Wet conditions made it difficult for players to keep their feet and hold on to the ball.
Yarra Junction was dominant early and despite inaccurate kicking, led at quarter time nine points to two.
Pressure on the Bombers’ backline was enormous, as Yarra Junction kept down the corridor and kick clear.
After half time rev up, the Bombers pushed forward to hit the front in the final term but it wasn’t Emerald’s day as Yarra Junction kicked the sealer in the dying minute to take the win.
Final Score: Yarra Junction 5-11-41 d Emerald 4-10-34
Goals: Two goals each to Michael Egan and Tim Wright
Best Players: Emmett Doran, Mitch Watton, Tim Wright, Michael Egan, Justin Gough and Mitchell Evans
Under 18
Coming off a great win, the Bombers were confident about the weekend match with Yarra Junction.
The boys shot out of the blocks, playing good team footy.
As they battled wet conditions, the Bombers proved hard to beat and were rewarded with a 20-goal win.
Emerald 25-21-171 d Yarra Junction 5-3-33. Goals: Six goals to Scott Steer, Three goals to Matt Quinn and two goals each to Jesse Dodd, Robert Doran, Matt Eccarius, Tom Gatt, Nick Lang, Reece Pepi, TylerSidwell and Jarrod Watson.
Best Players: Matt Quinn, Nick Green, Jarrod Watson, Nick Lang, Scott Steer and Matt Eccarius.
Netball
A Grade
Emerald took on Yarra Junction at home and came out strong. Scoring 14 goals to Yarra Junction’s seven in the second quarter, Emerald took control of the game.
With fantastic defence and great teamwork, Emerald continued to capitalise on their lead and went into the final term 18 goals up. Emerald worked well together and kept the pressure on Yarra Junction, to take the win by 25 goals.
Emerald 56 d Yarra Junction 32. Goals: Kim Walker 29, Bev White 22 and Rachel Fox 5
Best Players: Kim Walker, Elise Borg, Nikki Argoon and Kate Griffin
B Grade
Emerald hosted Yarra Junction at home and knew that this was going to be a hard game.
Emerald started out slowly with only four goals in the first quarter, but came out strong in the second and third quarters, with accurate passing and great teamwork. The shooters worked fantastic together, with some great passages of play being had and great goals scored.Going into the last quarter, Emerald kept their heads up and worked really well as a team.
Final Score: Yarra Junction 57 d Emerald 26
Goals: Kristie-Lee Noonan 12, Haylee Steer 11 and Donna Baguley 3
Best Players: Lynette Wright, Jade Whiting, Kristie-Lee Noonan and Haylee Steer.
