Last Saturday was a tough day for the UNSW-ES Bulldogs with all three mens team in action suffering defeats, however the Stingrays Division Two team was able to score the club's lone win for the day with a gutsy win over the Auburn Giants at Mona Park that keeps them in touch with the top five.
Out at Blacktown International Sports Park the Division Two and Division Five Bulldogs would face tough battles against the Blacktown Magic, with both the opposition teams rated as potential premiers in their respective grades.
Despite some solid opposition the dogs would have been disappointed to leave the ground with two resounding defeats and just the four goals across two grades. Division Five kicked off precedings and showed some great early signs and put the Magic under a lot of pressure in a goalless first quarter. With the game opening up slightly in the second both teams were able to hit the scoreboard with the Magic going to the main break 31-16 ahead in a match that was still evenly balanced. Unfortunately our boys were unable to keep up the intensity after half time and Blacktown started to pull away, breaking the game open with 5 third quarter goals. The boys from the west would finish up 11.14 (80) - 2.7 (19) victors. For the dogs Chris Trail and Dean Hughey were solid contributers.
Division Two followed after and were looking to score an upset and take home their first points of the year, but their chances were dashed early as Blacktown piled on the pressure - and subsequently points - from very early on. The dogs were unable to contain former Eagles premier division players Clinch and Moeller and by half time the score had ballooned out to 80-6. Coach Chris Peters was encouraged with the endeavour the boys continued to show, but unfortunately the final score still reflected a very tough afternoon with the Magic winning 23.20 (158) - 2.2 (14). Ben Trevaskis was best afield for the dogs while Huge Goode continued his great form in 2014.
Sydney University always provide stiff competition and today would be no different in the battle between the two universties in Division Four at Sydney Uni #1 Oval. As to be expected in a third v fourth battle it was a tight tough battle early but the Sydney Uni boys were able to take the most of their opportunities when presented and would lead 37-20 at half time but the match was still well and truly alive. The third was much of the same with neither team able to wear down the other but once again Sydney Uni would continue to drift away from the Bulldogs leading by 26 at the final change. That would prove to much to track down, the home team kicking 5 goals to 2 in the last to win 13.12 (90) - 7.3 (45). For the dogs Fidel Tukel kicked two goals and Adam Powell was very good in his last game before moving to Melbourne.
UNSW-ES only victory of the day would come courteys of the Division Two Stingrays. They came up against the Auburn Giants at Mona Park with both teams coming in with 2 wins and 4 losses, and knowing a loss would make it particularly difficult to come back from and play finals later in the year. The match was as tight as they come all day long with the margin rarely venturing into double figures. The Giants led by 4 points at the main break, but the Stingers were able to hit back with 2 goals in the third quarter to lead 26-23 heading into the final term. In a potentially season defining quarter the Stingrays fought hard and kept Auburn to just two behinds whilst kicking a decisive goal themselves. They finished 4.9 (33) - 3.7 (25) winners with Mel Stott's two goals proving crucial, whilst Bec Ling and Amy Lanza also had great games. Afterwards it was great to see the comradarie between both teams as they went to a local restuarant to share in dinner.
Next weekend is a huge one for the Village Green with all eight teams playing at VG. The fixtures are as follows:
Saturday:
Division Two v Moorebank Magpies Village Green Saturday 2.30pm
Division Four v Moorebank Magpies Village Green Saturday 12.30pm
Under 19's v Pennant Hills Village Green Saturday 10.30am
Division Five v Nor West Jets Village Green Saturday 8.30am
Sunday:
Premier Division v Campbelltown Village Green Sunday 2.30pm
Division One v Balmain Village Green Sunday 12.30pm
Stingrays Div 1 v Balmain Dockers Village Green Sunday 10.30am
Stingrays Div 2 v Randwick City Angels Village Green Sunday 8.30am
Last Modified on 27/05/2014 22:51