Local Footy: CYs fall short in tight, tense affair

SENIORS
PENINSULA               1.4    3.8    9.11    15.16-106
WILLIAMSTOWN    1.1    5.3     9.4      11.6-72

PENINSULA
Goal Kickers: J. Rombotis 4, J. Coghlan 3, T. Coghlan 2, B. Southam 2, S. Payze, A. Wood, J. Heron, T. Scarpella
Best Players: A. Wood, S. Barbour, T. Coghlan, S. Grigg, R. Powney, S. Payze

WILLIAMSTOWN
Goal Kickers: T. Wheeler 5, J. Wong 2, C. Elliott 2, J. Reid, C. Richards
Best Players: T. Wheeler, A. McKay, J. Gallivan, C. Richards, C. Elliott, B. Gray

Williamstown CYMS lost a hard fought second semi final clash against flag favourites Peninsula by 34 points at Central Reserve, Glen Waverley, on Saturday. Their win means that Peninsula goes through to the grand final on Sunday week, whilst Williamstown must beat Therry Penola in next Sunday’s Preliminary Final to win promotion and a chance for redemption against the Pirates.

Saturday’s game was a very tense and tight affair, particularly in the first half with both sides trying desperately to gain a break over the other. Peninsula had the best of the opening quarter but was wasteful in front of goal early and in a low scoring affair led by only three points at the first break. The second quarter saw the CYs gain the ascendancy mainly through some good work up forward by Tim Wheeler and led by 13 points close to half time. However, a goal right on full time allowed Peninsula to go into the break only 7 points in arrears and still very much in the game.

The third quarter, as is so often the case, proved to be the pivotal to the game’s outcome. Early in the term, CYs stalwart full back Ben Hynes was red carded when he arrived late in a spoiling attempt on his opponent. He was subsequently sin binned and for the next 20 minutes the CYs were forced to play a man down. It was during this time that Peninsula started to take control of the game. Dominating the centre clearances [10 – 0 for the quarter], they rammed on five quick goals to jump out to a handy lead. Williamstown were able to regroup later in the quarter and with Hynes back on the ground managed to close the gap to 7 points at the last break.

Try as they might, the CYs could not close that gap and by the 20 minute mark of the final term Peninsula had the game in their keeping when their fourth goal of the quarter gave them a handy 22 point lead. The CYs seemed to have spent all their tickets by this stage and a couple of easy late goals saw the final margin blow out to 34 points at the finish.

Williamstown’s best player was Tim Wheeler, whose strong marking and fierce attack on the ball netted him 5 goals and made him the focus of most of the CYs successful forward moves. Andrew McKay, battling injured ribs, John Gallivan and Shaun McGuiness all battled manfully in defence before they were swamped by the wave of possession coming from the opposition midfield. Ben Gray had a bit of an off day by his standards, but still managed to get his share of the ball and kept going to the end. Callum Richards was another who played well for Williamstown, contesting every issue and generally put the ball to advantage.

RESERVES
WILLIAMSTOWN    2.2    4.4    5.6    9.9-63
THERRY PENOLA     1.2    2.3    3.5    3.7-25

WILLIAMSTOWN
Goal Kickers: C. Mathews 2, T. Bowers, G. Burgess, J. Buttigieg, T. Hynes, C. McCracken, J. Munro, M. John
Best Players: J. Munro, C. McCracken, T. Hynes, B. McColl, J. Hynes, M. Busuttil.

THERRY PENOLA
Goal Kickers: T. Goodwin 2, A. McKay
Best Players: G. Henderson, S. Bannister, D. Hanlon, J. Bibby, J. Quinn, C. Matton

Williamstown CYMS reserves won their way into this year’s Grand Final with strong win over Therry Penola on Saturday. In a game that was at times played in driving rain, the CYs overcame a slow first quarter to gradually draw away from Therry to eventually win comfortably by 38 points.

The CYs were best served by James Munro, whether on the ball or in defence, as he constantly put his head over the ball to win many vital possessions in the slippery conditions. Big Cody McCracken was a tower of strength all day in the ruck and up forward. His fearless attack on the ball seemed to unsettle many of the opposition as he paved the way for his teammates. Tim Hynes was another to consistently put his body on the line to gain many contested possessions and he often turned defence into attack with his willingness to run. Tim’s brother Julian controlled centre half back all day, constantly repulsing opposition attacks with his sound judgment and efficient ball use. Ben McColl gradually got on top of his bigger bodied opponent to play a vital role in limiting the opposition to just three goals for the day. Nuggety rover Mark Busuttil used his strength and experience to win many ‘in and under’ contests, consistently harassing the opposition onballers out of possession.