Sport
17 May, 2023
Bloods fly high over Seagulls
TERANG Mortlake’s senior footballers are soaring in season 2023.
TERANG Mortlake’s senior footballers are soaring in season 2023.
Undefeated with five wins from the first five rounds, and sitting comfortably in second spot on the Hampden League ladder – just percentage behind South Warrnambool and two games clear of Koroit – the Bloods are reaping the rewards of a strong pre-season and a healthy recruitment drive.
Last Saturday’s round five game saw the Bloods travel to Gardens Oval to take on the eighth-placed Port Fairy.
The visitors got off to a strong start and finished the first quarter with an eight-point lead and then extended this to go into the main break with a handy 44-point advantage thanks to an additional eight goals in the second term.
The Bloods took a 32-point lead into the final quarter but a late surge from the home side saw the Seagulls add five majors to the board while restricting the Bloods to one goal, six points.
Just 11 points separated the two at the final siren, with the Bloods going home victors 12.12.84 to 11.7.73.
Best for the Bloods were Jarryd Hay, Ryley Hutchins, Xavier Vickers, Luke McConnell, Alexander Moloney and Gus Bourke.
Will Kain again performed well in front of goals, booting four for the Bloods, while Rhys Buck added three, Ryley Hutchins and McConnell two each, and Daniel Kenna a single.
Bloods coach Ben Kenna said while his side was pleased to come away with the win, he praised the efforts of the Seagulls who made them work hard for the points.
“Full credit to Port, they really took it to us throughout the game, particularly in the last half,” he said.
“They got a really strong start to the last quarter and held us accountable. They got to within about five points at one stage but we steadied and got the job done.”
The in-form Bloods will take on South Warrnambool at the Terang Rec Reserve this weekend in a top-of-the-table clash which will see the winner take top spot.
“This weekend will be one of our biggest challenges so far. South is a quality side and no doubt the benchmark of the league. No-one has gotten within about five or six goals of them so far so we'll
need to take our best if we're to get the win,” Kenna said.
In the reserves match last weekend, Terang Mortlake held on to fourth spot on the ladder with a solid 38-point victory over the Seagulls, 9.5.59 to 3.3.21.
Best for the Bloods were Jordan Harris, Toby Harris, Jack Lehmann, Thomas Justin, Jake Lee and Simon Densley.
Justin and Lehmann both kicked three goals, while Simon Densley, Tyson Hay and Ryan Tanner added one each.
Earlier in the day, the Bloods’ under 18.5s went down by 17 points, 5.5.35 to 7.10.52.
Tyler Vickers, Tyson Royal, Ned Roberts and Riley Kelly were best for the Bloods while Darcy Abbott and Vickers kicked two goals each and Damien Goddard also added to the board.
It was a mixed bag of results for the Bloods on the netball courts last weekend.
Results were as follows:
Open – Terang Mortlake defeated Port Fairy 68-28. Best for the Bloods were Hollie Castledine, Emma Lucas and Ava Grundy.
Division one – Port Fairy defeated Terang Mortlake 40-32. Best players: Claudia Lee, Lily Lourey and May Suhan.
Division two – Port Fairy defeated Terang Mortlake 40-36.
Division three – Terang Mortlake defeated Port Fairy 40-30. Best for the Bloods were Jacque Dickson, Debbie Worland and Meagan Carlin.
17 and under – Terang Mortlake defeated Port Fairy 40-8. Best players: Anna Dickson, Leah Dickson and Alice Kain.
17 and under reserves – Port Fairy defeated Terang Mortlake 25-16. Best players: Isla Primrose and Molly Goddard.
15 and under – Terang Mortlake defeated Port Fairy 35-18.
13 and under –Terang Mortlake defeated Port Fairy 17-13. Best for the Bloods were Violet Dillon and Nikaiah Murfett.