SENIORS MATCH REPORT vs UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY BATS
The Jets played host to perennial competition heavyweights the UTS Bats at Bruce Purser Reserve on Saturday under a warm midday sun. Missing some key players, the Jets knew they had a tough task ahead of them, the Bats also without some regulars, but with the luxury of four grades, depth is always on their side.
The Jets have been training to a simple but effective game plan to implement on a wider ground, and started strongly, with a fierce approach to the ball, and delivering to first options constantly. The dual forward focus of Sam Mako Makins & Michael Cranky Craigie were presenting well, with Cranky being double teamed for most of the day, while the midfielders of Casey BOFT Wenselowski, Nick General Milkins, Jack Sparrow Pascoe, Gerard Ged Smits in a superb running game and Stephen Stav Davidson running the lines, and Josh Howie Howe on fire from the flank, the Jets dominated the first half, with only inaccurate kicking for goal keeping UTS with a sniff, leading by a slender 27 point margin at the long break. Such strong defence from the home team kept the dangerous UTS forwards to only a single goal, but still a long second half to play.
For whatever reason, the Jets came out flat in the second half, and UTS took full advantage, using the ball well, and playing how Nor-West did in the first half, while the Jets were content to be second to the ball, and lazy on turnovers. UTS played themselves back into the game with a huge second half, both teams adding 2 goals for the third term, and it was the Bats who came home charging in the last. Despite key Bat Zac Jardine being red carded midway through the last, and the Jets losing both ruck options to injury, it was a tense finish, with controversy after the siren, as both club goal umpires having differing scores. It was up to the time keeper to adjudicate the score with the goal umpires, Pete Shipley, who has officiated the last few 1st Division Final Series, came to the conclusion that the scoreboard was correct, as was Jets flag bearer Jeremy Duncis, who is a former SANFL official, the Jets clinging to a 4 point victory,
Nor-West 9.13.67 def UTS 9.9.63
Goals: G.Smits 2, M.Craigie 2, S.Makins 2, S.Braid, J.Pascoe, C.Wenselowski
Best: G.Smits, J.Howe, M.Craigie, S.Makins, G.Allen, J.Pascoe
The Jets head to Ern Holmes Oval next week to face Pennant Hills, in an interesting twist, the last four flags in the old 2nd Division are shared between the two clubs, in what shapes as another tough battle for the boys from Bensons.
RESERVES MATCH REPORT vs UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY BATS
This week saw an early morning start against the UTS Bats at Bruce Purser Reserve for the inaugural Nor-West Football Day. A number of regular players getting a ‘call up’ to first grade and injuries to key players ensured this week was going to provide the much needed challenge we have been craving. It was obvious from the first bounce that the Bats were not going to be a pushover and were going to make it tough for us to ‘chalk up’ our fifth win of the season. The forward set up with dual key forwards Daniel DeeGee Graham and Nathan Duttas Dutschke was unsettled early with Dutschke succumbing to a hamstring injury in the first few minutes of the game however, the Jets rallied and went to the first break with a five point lead. The Jets stuck to their game plan and ran the ball into the open spaces kicking five straight for the quarter despite losing first game ruckman Paul Spider Webster to a leg injury and enjoyed a 19 point lead at the main break. The third quarter started well but the more determined Bats started to dominate the play and dictate terms. The Bats continued to pressure and despite the efforts of Jets Captain, Chris Junna Collins, club veteran Stephen China Chase and Steve Psycho Steaszek continually throwing themselves at the ball, they were able to take the lead kicking 30 points to 2 in the third quarter and went to the final break with a 12 point lead. The final quarter was fairly even with 7 scoring shots to 3 but inaccurate kicking from the Jets meant that the Bats maintained their lead and ran out winners by eight points. It was obvious from this weeks performance we need to get back to basics and stick to our game plan that saw us dominate in the first three rounds of the season. Next week we travel to Pittwater to take on fifth placed Manly in what will no doubt be another test for the Jets.
UTS 11.10.76 def Nor-West 18.8.68
Goals: M.Davidson 4, D.Langham 2, D.Graham, M.Lewis, C.Collins, D.Harding
Best: C.Collins, S.Chase, M.Davidson, J.Bray, D.Harding, D.Thorpe
Last Modified on 05/07/2009 13:55
