If the Pennant Hills supporters didn’t know the words to the East Coast Eagles victory song, they surely did by the end of Saturday night. They had to listen to it resounding around Bruce Purser Reserve on each of four occasions after the Eagles defeated their cross suburb adversary in every match on the round eight card.
The U/18 Premier Cup boys started proceedings in conditions slippery from overnight rain, winning by 32 points and going further away from their more favoured rivals.
The next match was an historic one when East Coast and Pennant Hills met for the first time at Division Three level. The Eagles took the points in emphatic fashion with their brilliant first quarter giving them the springboard to go on to victory.
The match up in Division One between two sides who are constantly at each other’s throats started at 4pm in drizzling rain, but the lights were on and so was the action as Jason Duss’ side were determined to take the win for their club. A magnificent second quarter did the trick when the Demons were held scoreless, while the home side fired five goals of their own. The team went on to win by 11 points, through sheer grit and resolve.
And then the showers stopped and the ground dried quickly, although the pitch area remained heavy. The sides for the main game of the night emerged from the rooms to do battle in the annual “Back to Baulko” match in which they compete for the Warren “Pops” Quintrell shield. Umpire Frank Kalayzich was honoured for his 400th senior match in the AFL Sydney. In fact, marking a special occasion, the combined First Grade total of all seven officiating umpires totalled 1,888 senior games. The crowd was excellent and they eagerly anticipated the first bounce.
And really from that point on, East Coast dominated the next 120 minutes as their skills in the trying conditions were everything Glenn Garner could have asked of his players. Damien Bowles was the leading man in a chorus of great players where each and every individual had a job to do and did it to perfection. Bowles won the players’ player vote and also took the selectors’ nod as best on afield. Daniel Spiteri put in his best performance of the year and looks to be coming into top form as we arrive at the mid point of the season.
Particular mention should also be made of Steve O’Connor’s three goals and his excellent work rate around the ground. Our condolences go to Steve and his dad Alan who lost their grandfather and father on the afternoon of the match.
The final margin of 57 points really belied the difference between the two sides. The Eagles’ skills were awesome across the four quarters and the win allows them to retain top spot on the ladder as they travel to Wollongong to dance with the Wolves next Saturday night, June 5.
East Coast Eagles 3.9 9.10 13.14 15.15 (105)
Pennant Hills 1.0 2.2 4.2 7.6 (48)
Goal kickers: Peter Dugmore 3, Steve O’Connor 3, Ben Rogers 2, Damien Bowles 2, Daniel Spiteri 2, Ryan Silvester, Mike Beardsley, Peter Vlatko.
Best players: Damien Bowles, Daniel Spiteri, Jack Dimery, Steve O’Connor, Mike Beardsley, Shane Ryan.
OTHER SCORES
Division One
East Coast Eagles 2.1 7.4 8.4 10.5 (65)
Pennant Hills 4.4 4.4 6.10 7.12 (54)
Goal kickers: Ash Moeller 4, Jason Duss, Jared Patira, Josh Shephard, Jake Pianta, Matt Power, James Mann.
Best players: Josh Shephard, Dean Eggleton, Liam Madden, James Mann, Ross Donaldson, Steve Roberts.
Division Three
East Coast Eagles 5.5 5.6 7.8 9.9 (63)
Pennant Hills 1.1 2.3 6.5 6.9 (45)
Goal kickers: Tim Coakley 3, Hayden Benger 2, Adam Tovell, Nathan Peters, James Ford, Jared Madden.
Best players: Hayden Benger, Ben Hynes, Jared Madden, Damien Gatte, James Ford, Carl Doering.
Under 18 Premier Cup
East Coast Eagles 4.2 7.4 10.6 13.8 (86)
Pennant Hills 3.2 5.3 6.5 8.6 (54)
Goal kickers: Damon Steer 2, Michael Clinch 2, Josh Patira 2, Nathan Campbell 2, Tate Dimech, Chris Polkinghorne, Ethan Barclay, Matt Lyons, Dominic Killworth.
Best players: Michael Clinch, Louise Butler, Dominic Killworth, Tate Dimech, Alex Foxall, Damon Steer.
Under 18 Challenge Cup
East Coast Eagles 2.0 2.1 2.2 3.3 (21)
Penrith 4.2 9.3 12.10 16.16 (112)
Goal kickers: James McCumiskey, Daniel Hoy, Joshua Bancroft.
Best players: Corey Dimech, James Randall, David Berger, Brendan Stone, Blake Russell, Ben Gray
NEXT WEEK’S MATCHES
Saturday June 5 - North Dalton Park Wollongong
U/18 Premier Cup
2pm v Wollongong
Division One
4pm v Wollongong
Premier Division
6.10pm v Wollongong
Saturday June 5 - Gipps Road
Division Three
12.30pm v Holroyd Parramatta
Sunday June 6 - Bruce Purser Reserve
U/18 Challenge Cup
3pm v Southern Power
EXTRAVAGANZA
First Grade
Best: Damien Bowles owned by Mick Bowles - $210.00
First free: Daniel Spiteri owned by Peter Physick - $45.00
Division One
Best: Dean Eggleton owned by Laima Physick $105.00
First free: Jason Duss owned by Steve Gawley - $45.00
Division Three
Best: Jared Madden & Ben Hynes (jointly) owned by Maree Gawley and the Black, Blue & Brown syndicate respectively - $22.50 each
