VAFA: Williamstown CYMS v Old Westbourne

SENIORS
WILLIAMSTOWN        8.6    9.6    13.8    14.10-94
OLD WESTBOURNE    0.0    4.1      4.2       7.5-47

WILLIAMSTOWN
Goal Kickers: T. Wheeler 4, W. Cooper 2, Z. Read 2, J. Reid 2, S. Barlow, B. Gray, N. Walsh, B. Lethborg
Best Players: J. Hynes, S. McGuinness, Z. Read, J. Connors, B. Hynes, T. Wheeler

OLD WESTBOURNE
Not available

Williamstown CYMS won an important encounter at home against Old Westbourne on Saturday. In a designated Rivalry Round contest the western suburbs neighbours were battling for bragging rights in a match that was vital for both side’s finals aspirations. Going into the game Williamstown was in fourth position 6 points clear of the sixth placed Warriors, but only 2 points ahead of fifth placed Eltham. Aided by a strong northerly wind it was the CYs who jumped out of the blocks full of running – slamming on 8 goals to no score – to lead by 54 points at the first change. The game was called to a halt midway through the quarter, when an Old Westbourne player was injured in a marking contest. An ambulance was called on to the playing arena whilst the young man was treated and taken to hospital for further treatment where he was later reported to be recovering well.
The quarter time siren rang an extraordinary 67 minutes after the start of the game and the unfortunate event seemed to take some of the edge off the rest of the game. The Warriors battled hard but to little avail in the second quarter, closing the gap by 19 points to trail by 35 points at the long break. The final two quarters had to be shortened to 20mins each due to the time lost and both sides battled away in the blustery conditions without either side putting their stamp on the game. At the final siren the CYs had extended their half time lead to 47 points and seemed happy to take the 4 points and turn their attention to next week’s clash with second placed Therry Penola.
In a day that was tailor made for defenders, Williamstown was best served by Julian Hynes. His sound judgment of the swirling ball, good backing up and clean disposal repelled many Warrior attacking moves. Premiership back pocket player Shaun McGuiness, playing his first senior game for the season, was another to stand out with his field kicking being a feature. Strong marking Ben Hynes was his usual reliable self at full back. Speedy and skilful young guns Zach Read and Jack Connors took up where they left off last week, both playing fine games off half forward and wing respectively.
On a day on which goals were hard to come by for the key forwards Tim Wheeler deserves a mention. His aggressive leading, strong marking and fierce ground work combined to net him a valuable 4 goals from full forward.

RESERVES
WILLIAMSTOWN        5.6    6.8    10.10    13.12-90
OLD WESTBOURNE    1.0    5.0      8.2       13.6-84

WILLIAMSTOWN
Goal Kickers: G. Burgess 4, D. Elias 3, K. Dowsey 2, J. Buttigieg, F. Henry, M. Carland
Best Players: L. Forrester, L. Henry, M. Busuttil, J. Buttigieg, T. Hynes

OLD WESTBOURNE
Not available

In the reserves game Williamstown hosted fourth placed Old Westbourne and sneaked a six point victory with the very last kick of the day. The visitors had stuck with the favoured home team in the first half largely through their accuracy in front of goal – 5 goals straight –and were only 14 points down at half time. When they were able to kick 3 goals into the wind during the third quarter to trail by only 20 points at the last break, the stage was set for them to take the game away from the top of the ladder Williamstown. Old Westbourne looked to have the game in their keeping when they led by a couple of kicks with only minutes to go. To their credit however the CYs refused to give up and were able to force the ball forward to kick the last two goals of the game. The first to tie the game was from veteran full forward Greg Burgess and came from a strong, well judged mark followed by an outstanding kick from long range into the wind and the second, with only 4 seconds remaining in the game, came from new recruit Ross Cassidy with a volley out of mid-air. Williamstown’s best player was Luke ‘Forri’ Forrester, who showed that he had recovered from the effects of a groin strain the week before by putting in 4 solid quarters of football, working particularly well playing loose in defence. Lawrence Henry was another to stand out with a consistent effort out of the midfield and he combined with Tim Hynes, Mark Busuttil, Jeff Buttigieg and Ross Cassidy to give the home team plenty of ball supply from the middle.

CLUBBIES
OLD IVANHOE          1.6    6.8    6.9    7.10-52
WILLIAMSTOWN    2.3    2.7    8.9    8.12-60

OLD IVANHOE
Goal Kickers: G. George 3, A. Steer, A. Jenkins, J. Weddle, T. Ferrantino
Best Players: B. Mantesso, M. Nicholls, D. Nichol, L. Terenyi, G. George, G. George

WILLIAMSTOWN
Goal Kickers: M. Manning 2, C. Mathews 2, N. Baskharon, J. Dodd, M. John, M. Sneddon
Best Players: L. McKenzie, N. Baskharon,C. Mathews, P. Gallivan, M. John, G. Shine

The fourth placed Williamstown CYMS Club 18 were away to undefeated top of the ladder Old Ivanhoe on Saturday and came away with a great 8 point victory. Trailing by 25 points at the main break the CYs rattled on 6 goals to nil in an inspired third term and headed into the last term with a slender 2 goal lead. Kicking into a strong wind they held their more fancied rivals to a single goal from only two scoring shots. Fighting ferociously they never surrendered the lead holding on for a season defining 8 point win. Lachie Mckenzie was the CYs best player, dominating the full back position against the opposition’s gun forward, he repelled attack after attack with fine spoiling and marking. Nick Baskharon came under notice with another fine performance on ball and Chris Mathews was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition with his attack on the ball and clever use. Pat Gallivan gave the side a big lift when moved into the midfield in the second half and Matty John showed glimpses of his best form playing his first game back after a long battle with injury. Greg Shine showed what a valuable acquisition he has been for the club since moving from WA with another great four quarters of leadership.

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