<!-- .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Verdana } -->The Pirates ventured out to Whitefriars College on a warm Saturday afternoon to be greeted by a hospitable opponent who stumbled during the finals in 2009 after a wonderful season. The ground was in magnificent condition and the Pirates were determoned to prove to the competition that they belong in this grade following the promotion over the off season
The 1st quarter saw some free flowing footbal mfrom both teams, when first the Pirate then the Friars dominated posession. The midfield was evenly matched and both defences were on top of their respective forwards. The Friars tried to flodd the defence then all stream forward, whilst the Pirates were determoned to stick to their tough accountable man on man football. The 1st quarter saw the Pirates lead 4.2 to 2.3 following 2 late goals
In the 2nd quarter the Pirates lifted their intensity and work rate. Stef Barbour Tom Coghlan and Tom Rees were dominating the clearances pumping the ball into the forward 50 on numerous occasions. The Friars appeared to fumble under the intense Pirate pressure who had clean hands. Despite the domination the Pirates were wasteful in fron of goal and did not take advantage of the wonderful efforts of the midfield due to inaccurate kicking. AT half time the Pirates led 8.9 to 4.6
Coach Mark Glenn although content with the half time lead was concerned that the Pirates may drop their intensity. The Friars came out steaming ably led by their captain who began to dominate the clearances allowing space for their forwards to lead into. Accurate kicking allowed the FGriars to kick 7 goals straight and be within a goal of the Pirates at 3/4 time.
Coach Mark Glenn and assistant Peter Freeman were seething and following an inspiring adress the Pirates were able to lift. Captain Shaun Payze led the way with Tom Rees and Steff Barbour beginning to get their hands on the ball. Despite this the Friars kept coming and eventually took the lead with minutes to play. The Pirates once again lifted kicking the next 2 goals to take a 9 point lead. The Friars were not to be denied and answered with seconds to play and were determined to attack the goals. All look lost for the Pirates until a match saving smother by defender Cade Bannister saw the Pirates maintain a 3 point lead.
The Pirates can improve and will take a lot of confidence into round 2 followong the gutsy 3 point win
Goal kickers
T Rees 5 J Coghlan 3 V Clarke 1 S Payze 1 B Brisbane 1 S Barbour 1 S Murray 1 A De Lange 1 Ca Ashdown 1
Best
T Rees T Coghlan S Barbour B Brisbane R Powney S Payze
POBFC Whitefriars
1st 4.2.26 2.3.15
2nd 8.9.57 4.6.30
3rd 11.11.77 11.6.72
4th 15.13.103 15.10.100