Football
27 May, 2024
Bombers inflict first loss on Tigers
Noradjuha Quantong returned to the winners list with a 43-point win over Pimpinio at Quantong Recreation Reserve in round seven of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
The game was tight early with unbeaten team Pimpinio playing well to trail by five points at quarter time and then eight at half time.
In the third quarter, the Bombers started to get control and extended the margin to 17 points at three-quarter time before a four-goal to zero quarter, guiding them to a 14.12.96 to 8.5.53 win.
Recruit Dylan Shelley was best on the ground for the Bombers in the midfield with ruckman Jack Vague outstanding alongside James Gregg, Jayden Besford and James Hallett. Judah Hobbs led the way up forward with four goals.
For the Tigers, Matthew Rosier and Jason Westley kicked two goals apiece with Jye Brown and Braydon Witney also among the best.
Bombers coach Damian Cameron praised his troops for the pressure they applied.
"Our pressure was great. We knew it was a danger game and things we worked on at training were applied to the game and the boys did well," Cameron said.
"We have had a couple of tight ones and to be able to pull away again in the last is a credit to the fitness levels which we have worked hard on.
"The midfield stood up and was unreal and the backline has settled a bit now and is doing well after being under a lot of pressure the last few weeks."
Cameron said Shelley has been impressive since he was cleared to play a few rounds back.
"He missed the first few games whilst his clearance was getting sorted but since he has come in he has settled and is getting to know our game style and plans and has been massive the last couple of weeks across half forward and the midfield," Cameron said.
"He is very classy and is a true leader. He also hits the scoreboard and puts pressure on the opposition and he will only get better.
"Jason Kerr coming back in was one of our most important players and having his experience can make a difference."
Pimpinio coach Guy Smith said they didn't take their opportunities.
"We were well set up and had our opportunities but didn't take them," Smith said.
"We couldn't match it with the Bombers in the end and they were well and truly deserving winners.
"For us, we have to try harder and we now know where we need to get to to challenge. It was pleasing the boys didn't throw in the towel and battled to the end."
Smith highlighted Jye Brown and Braydon Witney as some of their best.
"It was Jye's first senior game of the year and he did exceptionally well on the wing and up forward and proved his worth," Smith said.
"Braydon is a tall agile kid and is normally a winger but had to fill a mismatch down back and played up forward at times and did good."