CLUB NEWS, Round 6, 31st May 2003.
CARNGHAM-LINTON v SKIPTON @ LINTON
"Rovin' Rambler Report"Skipton suffered its first loss for the Season against Carngham-Linton at Linton last Saturday. After leading for most of the game an eight goal to one final quarter by Carngham saw them run out 30 point winners in what was a game that provided plenty of entertainment for the supporters.
An injury to Tony Boyer at training saw him replaced in the team by Cameron Postlethwaite who played his first Senior game.
The game started in near perfect conditions with Skipton winning the toss and kicking to the Southern end of the ground which was supported by a slight breeze. The opening minutes of the game saw both teams trying to gain the advantage with the back lines under pressure. A rushed point to Skipton opened the scoring.
The next ten minutes saw Skipton take control and score four unanswered goals. A strong mark to Tim McKay saw him goal and then good play by Chris Jennings saw McKay kick his second. A long kick from Troy Ferrier cleared the pack and bounced through for a goal. McKay goaled from a strong mark and followed with another from clever play on the goal line. Skipton was getting plenty of drive out of the centre from Rod Kennedy and Paul Grinstead.
Carngham opened their scoring with a goal at the ten minute mark which was quickly answered by Skipton after Daniel Rowe took a strong mark and passed to McKay who soccered the ball through. Two quick goals by Carngham reduced the lead but a free to Ferrier off the play resulted in a goal which was quickly followed with another from Jennings. Two more goals late in the term to Carngham saw what could have been a big lead to Skipton reduced to 14 points with the score 7.3 to 5.1.
The second quarter started with a quick goal to Grinstead which was followed by another to Rowe. Bill Molloy was playing well and he was being supported by the other backline players including Troy Wickham and Jim Collins as they held the opposition out. A decision to report Rowe by the Central Umpire after he had taken a strong mark near goal saw him sent from the ground for the rest of the game and meant Skipton had to see the game out with only 17 on field players. The decision appeared to unsettle the Skipton players and lift Carngham as they scored the next three goals. A late goal to Cameron Postlthwaite gave Skipton a 15 point lead at half time 10.6 to 8.3.
Strong words from coach Tim McKay at half time saw the Skipton players settle and regain their composure. A goal to Rowan O’Callaghan was quickly followed by another from Mathew Battistello. Loose checking from Skipton was giving their opponents too much space as Carngham lifted to kick three quick goals. They were taking control of the centre and giving their forwards plenty of opportunities. Poor approach into our forward line and players not holding their positions was making scoring difficult as McKay was often left to compete against a number of opponents. As his confidence grew Molloy continued to impress with his clearing runs and long kicking out of defence. A goal to McKay was replied to by another by Carngham. With the scores 13.11 to 12.6 Skipton went into the final quarter leading by 11 points.
The last quarter was all Carngham as they piled on eight goals to Skiptons one. Strong play by McKay saw him kick his sixth for the game. The loss of Rowe made team balance difficult but the fact that Skipton was unable to run out each of the first three quarters was a concern. Lapses allowed Carngham to kick goals late in each quarter. That with the fact that a number of the players lacked consistency and drifted in and out of the play will give the Match Committee something to work on.
But all is not lost. Skipton was able to lead for each of the first three quarters in what was a high standard game. Senior players in Tony Boyer, Aaron Klutke, Luke Hills and Craig Kennedy are not far off from returning after injury which will give greater depth. Another positive was the first-up game of Cameron Postlethwaite who had not played since injuring his wrist in the practice match
After trailing for all the game the Reserves were unlucky to lose by a point after kicking 3.3 in the last quarter whilst keeping the opposition scoreless. Leigh Edmonston become the 40th player to reach 100 games at our Club in this game
Our Juniors suffered a big loss to a far stronger opposition but as usual gave their best and just kept on trying throughout the game. Numbers continue to be a problem which makes it difficult for the boys against the better teams.
NEXT SATURDAY: Illabarook at Skipton
“Keep Rovin”
