1st Quarter.
With the sun out, Boss James Oval looked a little different for Mother’s Day 2018, the oval divided up so as to cater for the many young boys and girls taking to the field this year.
Our game saw a little bit of confusion early with umpire Matt, who does a great job week in week out, wasn’t sure of these newly devised boundaries. He wasn’t alone and with spectators lining the newly styled ground we all soon got our bearings and the game got going.
The Rovers boys started well, Charlie Smyth set the tone early, roving the packs, his intensity was high as it was from new recruit for the day Fraser, it seemed that all Rovers players got the message that Coach Julian, Steve and Wayne had been sending, as there was plenty of run and carry. Eddie over to Cooper saw the first score on the board come early and the Rovers were definitely up and about.
Back in the center with Umpire Matt guiding the players from both teams as he does so well, the ball soon found its way back down to our forward line. Somebody call the fire brigade, Eddie Peat was on fire…. combining with Ashton, then onto Jackson Block putting it through for the second goal of the day, the boys were running hot!
As the game continued only the brave dare take on Eddie, as he ran down the opposition with a fierce and well executed tackle that took down the opposition player, he then got the handball out to Kai who danced and turned, and got it on to the hard working Jackson Nelson, who banged through his first for the day and the 3rd goal for the Rovers, setting the tone for a great Mother’s Day game.
2nd Quarter
With the second quarter underway, Sebastian laid a great tackle, one of several he would make through the course of the game, he then somehow got to his feet for the next contest and got the tap out as well, how does he do it?? Kit, well organised, not unlike his Dad Aaron, was reading the play like Shakespeare and was the recipient of Seb’s handy work. From Kit and with help from Cooper and Charlie Elliot, all conquering Eddie got the ball in his hands and nailed an impressive goal. His first through the big sticks to his Goal Umpiring Dad who was going to be busy!
A lot of great tackling, pressure and communication, the ball was locked down in our forward line, which after great team work by the forward line saw Kit land a goal, showing just how a continued effort by all Rovers players pays off.
Kai’s hard running and never give up attitude saw him come out with the ball as a result of another trademark tackle. With the ball spilling out into the oppositions hands, Joshie got in the action and also laid a great tackle and the ball was kicked wayward by the opposition as a result. Archie took a ripper mark and kicked long, Coach Julian left wondering what was in the local water?!
3rd Quarter.
What was being described as a ‘Lightening’ move by parents on the side line, Kai was off like a pair of dirty socks down forward, laces out on to fast running Ethan, combining with the skills man Cruzy, then on to Will. Will to the dynamic Jackson Block, who nailed another goal for the team. With all the boys showing off a remarkable set of skills unmatched by the opposition, Joshie got two goals in as many minutes, and whilst the sun was out, and it wasn’t raining today, it was certainly raining goals!
With Cruzy in the centre laying tackle after tackle the ball spilled to Ethan who ran and bounced as he does so well, laying the ball off to Kai who went on to goal.
4th Quarter.
Boston’s pressure and presence, Dylan in his first game back from a broken arm, as well as award recipient Charlie Elliot, all of their running and handballing efforts not going unnoticed and with the ball in play Will showed some Langford magic with a great shot toward goal. Plenty of continued effort by Boston manning the forward line and again Will and Jackson Block enabled Joshie to kick his 3rd goal for the day. Not to be outdone Charlie Elliot got in on the action next with a sneaky left footer through the sticks as well, nice!
In the final minutes Cruzy with his quick hands meant first gamer Dylan could show off his skill set too, and for the final play Kai again got the Sherrin and slammed it onto his foot for a Ripper last goal of the day.
So with no injuries to anyone, all the Mums were able to enjoy a Ripper display on this Mother’s Day, which fittingly lead to this Ripper Acronym.
Resilient. Impressive. Powerful. Persistent. Excellent. Rovers.
R.I.P.P.E.R!
Best Regards,
Aaron.
