U-14YG Div 1 Orange v Maroubra Saints
Round 9, 16 June 2019
Heffron Park
Round 9 brought the top of the ladder clash we’ve been waiting for all season. Two teams with unblemished records enter, only one can leave undefeated.
The weather was dour, befitting a hard head-to-head slog. The field had an integrated mud slip and slide down one end – at least that’s how girls from an earlier game were using it. This was going to be old-fashioned wet-weather footy.
The game started off very tight. The Cannons fought hard to keep the ball down at their scoring end, but ferocious Maroubra defence limited the scoreboard impact. At the end of first quarter the score was 1.3.9 vs 1.1.7 to the Cannons. Coach Michael addressed his team in the break and reminded them of their jobs – play in front; numbers to the ball; and keep moving when picking up the ball.
In the second quarter the pressure from Maroubra continued, but the Cannons started moving the ball with some fluidity with chains of passes and handballs taking the ball from the centre bounce through to the goals, scoring three straight to one behind to lead by 19.
Although the game tightened-up in the second-half, the second quarter effort proved to be the key to the victory, with the final score 51-22 to the Cannons. Congratulations to all the girls, and to Coach Michael for a hard-fought victory over a very tough opponent.