Cross Conference Results Dominated by Home Teams
A better set of results for North Coast teams in the second round of the C.ex Group Cross Conference Competition, with the two Leagues sharing the spoils. Coffs Breakers and Sawtell Toormina Saints flew the flag for the local League, with both recording strong wins, whilst it was another long day at the office (and on the road) for both Grafton Tigers and Port Macquarie Magpies.
Coffs Breakers hosted Tweed Coast Tigers in perfect sunshine at Leisure Park. The game was open and fast flowing with both teams trading goals throughout the first. Just prior to half time Breakers managed to go on a goal scoring run to take a very handy 20 point lead into the sheds. The third quarter saw the two teams resume the pattern of trading goals, with Breakers extending their lead by a further 7 points.
In the last quarter tweed Coast Tigers physically wilted and the Breakers accelerated to run out winners by 59 points and score a handy percentage boost on the way.
Luke Symons, Nic von Schill, Mackinlay Pearce, and Jack Mapleson were the standout performers for the Breakers. The chief contributor on the scoreboard was von Schill with 7 goals, Nick Stanlan-Velt kicked 3, and Chris Frangos chimed in with 2.
Coffs Breakers 19.15.129 defeated Tweed Coast Tigers 10.10.70
At Richardson Park, Sawtell it looked like a repeat performance of the 2016 contest was on the cards when Ballina Bombers took a slender 2 point lead into the last break. Last season Ballina kicked away in the final quarter to claim the win but this time there was complete role reversal as the Saints piled on 5 unanswered goals to storm home with a 30 point victory.
This was a see-sawing match with the lead changing hands at every break. In the end, superior fitness for the Sawtell players was key to the win.
Dan Pritchard continued his strong vein of form in front of goal to boot 5 majors. He received great support from new recruit Angus Kennedy-Carvalho, Andy Ellis, and big Aaron Clarke who each added 2 goals.
Sawtell Toormina Saints 14.12.96 defeated Ballina Bombers 10.6.66
Grafton Tigers started slowly against Lismore Swans and found themselves down by 4 goals at the first quarter. They were very competitive in the second quarter and maintained contact with the Swans throughout the term, but a 9 goal effort in the third quarter saw the Swans take a match winning lead into the final term. The Tigers could only manage a solitary behind in that time and the Swans kicked on to claim a comfortable victory.
Luke Stanford was at his ever-reliable best for the Tigers, with Steve McLennan, Jack Kennedy, Pete Laurie, James Hodges, and Daniel Breward being the other strong contributors. Stanford and Dominic Bowles were the only two Tigers to create work for the scorers.
Lismore Swans 19.23.137 defeated Grafton Tigers 2.6.18
Port Magpies kicked a behind to open the scoring in their clash with Byron Magpies at Byron, but that was to be the high point of the match for them. The rest of the time they were chasing the footy as they were outclassed by a rampant Byron outfit that kicked at least 7 goals in each quarter.
Port’s only other highlight for the day came in the last quarter when Adam Mannes posted their lone goal for the match.
The best return that Port have had in any match in 2017 is 11 goals. In a clear indication of just how strong Byron are, captain coach Brett Porter scored 15 goals off his own boot, whilst Jackson Coppin added a further 12.
Byron Magpies 37.17.239 defeated Port Macquarie Magpies 1.1.7
Next week’s round of matches sees the second of the local derbies between Sawtell and Breakers, with the match to be played at Richardson Park, Sawtell, whilst Grafton make the trip south to Port Macquarie with both teams desperate for a win.
