The alarm sounded at 7am and the first instinct was to roll over and go back to bed, we checked the weather app and it was a brisk 4 degrees outside..
Arriving at Highett’s home ground, it was like a scene out the rolling hills in Wales with mist rolling across the field. At least Rich Bartley felt at home..
The kids didn’t seem to care as much as the parents, as a protest was raised given the canteen was closed and not a coffee van was in site…
The Rovers ran onto the ground with vigour as the parents huddled in the morning to sun to defrost.
1st Qtr
The first bounce and Highett got the jump on us by scoring the first goal, although Hannah and Poppy were fierce in defence with Hannah using her tenacious tackling to bring a Highett player to ground and he wasn’t getting up anytime soon, with the trainer rendering assistance. Tommy B was busy trying to break the packs, although found it tough going with three Highett players on his back ! Hunter was roving the pack like Diesel Williams and like Diesel may have taken one too many bounces before running into a wall of Highett defence. Highett again stretched our defence by scoring two further goals and could have been more if it wasn’t for Elijah holding his ground and the ball in a vice like grip. Casper took a great mark before the siren sounded and Highett was three goals up (must have been the wind).
2nd Qtr
The second quarter was similar to the first with our forward line practising the dab to keep warm and our defence again under pressure, Jake tried his best to bring some run into the game and Jack B was taken high and awarded a free kick and provided our first inside fifty, only for Highett to run in out and again pressure our backline, again our defence stood up with Elijah, Fraser, Poppy, Hannah and Carter all kept busy as they denied Highett of scoring. If it did get through, Tommy E was in the last line of defence and used his dash to clear the ball. Tommy B tried in the middle and used a Dusty stiff arm with great effect and combined with Jack B, pushing into our forward line, alas to no avail…Owen showed his determination and was getting amongst it.
The siren sounded and the snakes proved more popular than the coach, as Sam tried in vain to get their attention, the sweet goodness of the Allens bag was the priority. Sam managed to assume some control before the troops were required back on the field, imploring them to go long!
3rd Qtr
Sam’s stirring words worked as Fraser got us off to the start we were looking for, with a great run down the wing, he managed to get it to Jack B who burst through the pack to get our first goal on the scoreboard. The ball was rushed back to the centre and after the ball up Highett was quick in their reply and slotted another one through the big sticks despite the efforts of our back line, Fraser and Carter again tried their best in defence, but Highett’s defensive wall through the centre kept seeing to ball come back in with interest. Tommy B was again attended to by the trainer as an errant boot got him above the eye and his was down again ! The siren sounded and despite our efforts we were still down.
A stirring speech from Sam akin to Ron Barrasi made sure the Rovers entered the final quarter with determination to pull it back on the scoreboard.
4th Qtr.
Tommy E was moved into the centre to bring some run into our game and he didn’t disappoint as Highett’s dominance started to dwindle. The Rovers had their best quarter and pushed into our forward line again and again, with Harvey awarded a well earned free kick. He played on quickly and Jack B showing he forward line prowess put his and the Rovers second goal on the board. Highett’s only push into their forward line resulted in a goal, which was against the run of play with the Rovers again going forward, without bothering the score line.
Special Mention to our award winners for the day; Owen, Jack, Fraser and Tommy B, but a great effort by all the team – we tried our best, as they say in football there’s always next week (but in this case it will see need to be the week after as we can all have a sleep in as it’s the long weekend) – see you all on the 17th June when we take on the Vampires, enjoy the break.
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