Final score – East Brighton 2 to Rovers 30.
A cold, windy and early start for this mid-season round. With only 13 starters, our team looked a little diminished, if not somewhat tanned after the holiday period. Vampires also chose only to play with 13, so the stage was set for an even match, although they had a few subs on the bench.
Claudia had control of the ball early snapping a point and Daisy showed her usual flair kicking long and marking well. Terrific tackling and speed from Tilda, also true to form. This quarter saw much of the ball down our end and over the other side from the coach’s box. At quarter time, with only a few points to us on the scoreboard, Call encouraged the girls to “bomb it as far as you can”.
Maddie S, playing up from our sister team, played well throughout. Tough at the ball, she looked good despite the wind and spotting rain. Forward pressure from Abby and Claudia looked good, but we had trouble converting. Tilda was sandwiched by a couple of Vampires at one point, but this didn’t slow her down. A lovely kick from Mia K to Mia S shot the ball forward. And, finally Mia S scored a goal, clearly now in the game despite a touch-and-go arrival looking like she’d just rolled out of bed.
“Bend down girls, pick up the ball!!!” was the crying refrain from Sarah-Jane, in her element as the embarrassing mother, a right we all enjoy as parents on the sidelines. Not so of Daisy though, who was covered in a strangely sloppy mud from head to toe.
The third quarter saw us rack up a couple more goals, one each to the mighty Mika and the crafty Claudia. Tilda had several good efforts at goal, but alas couldn’t bring home the bacon. In the last few minutes, the Vampires drew blood, snatching a point.
Firing into the last quarter, our girls clearly had the momentum. Mia K kicked a lovely ball to Lizzie, who was playing upfront for a change, marked it and kicked a plum goal. Batman, Aliyah and Abby also demonstrated their marking skills this quarter.
Final siren saw the Vampires goalless. After shaking hands, it was back in the change rooms with Cal congratulating the girls on the win.
BOG to Mia S for doing everything Call asked of her. Awards to Tilda for her flashing form; Batman for her tough tackling; and Lizzie for playing super well across the ground.
Feels good to finally have a win!
