CMCB vs BSSC: Emphatic win takes our Senior Boys to a Home Semi Final

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA: PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND 3

Football – Senior Boys vs Bendigo Senior Secondary College

Another bright sunny day greeted the Premier League Team as they arrived on the hallowed turf of the QEO on Wednesday 29 May. With a home semi-final to play for, and the opposition being our traditional sporting rivals Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC), there was added intensity heading into this match. In the rooms, the pre-match speeches spoke to their emotions, leaving the boys champing at the bit to get the ball bounced and the game under way.

Right from the get-go the boys hit the ground running, winning the contested ball and giving the forwards opportunities to score.  Dan Noden kicked the first major, just minutes into the match, and he backed that up with is second soon after, as the boys flexed their muscle early.   Henry Edwards was providing plenty of run off half back and was linking up well with the midfield group.  Jack McMahon, in his first game for the year after coming back from injury, was dominating all over the ground, winning the hard ball around the stoppages and constantly sending the ball inside 50.  His brute force was appreciated by all his teammates, as the likes of Logan Kilcullen, Oliver Edmiston and Charlie King benefited from his in and under work. By quarter time it was CMCB 4-5-29 to BSSC 0-1-1.

The second quarter saw another dominant display from the CMCB team.  Jack McMahon kicked the first goal of the term and was enthusiastically mobbed by his team mates afterwards.  Shannon Tardrew and Zane Connick also got in on the act, kicking majors on the back of some individual brilliance.  Gus Hay was putting on a masterclass on pressure and tackling, well aided by Ben Miller, Hugh Behrens and Bailey Warfe in defence, as they once again restricted BSSC to just a solitary point in the quarter.  The highlight of the quarter went to Patrick Blake, who legitimately touched cloud vapor as he took an absolute screamer and contender for mark of the year. By the end of the first half it was CMCB 7-7-49 to BSSC 0-2-2.

The third quarter started with Gus Hay kicking the opening goal as once again and CMCB was able to dominate play.  The outside runs from Kobi MacDonald, Declan Stevenson and Darby Whatley were impressive as they kept sending the ball forward. However, BSSC was responded midway through the term kicking their first goal of the game.  Oscar Cail then replied with a great mark and snap on goal to restore order.  It turned out to be a scrappy quarter of footy as the wind picked up, making conditions more challenging.  Deakin Andrews and Henry Edwards were once again brilliant in defence, as they took multiple intercept marks, thwarting many of the BSSC forward bursts.  By three-quarter time, the match was in the bag as the boys had amassed a 60-point lead, but the coach pleaded with the group to finish the game off and not become complacent.

The final term was another solid one by the CMCB boys.  Declan Stevenson kicked his first goal for the match, followed by one from Oliver Edmiston.  But it was Isaac Meersbergen reaping praise from the coach as he continued to battle hard in the ruck against a 10-foot giant.  His work rate never dropped and he was now starting to win the contests as he out worked his much taller opponent. Add in the brilliance of Harvey White at half back, like a hurricane spin mop as he cleaned up almost every BSSC forward foray with efficiency.  Joe Artavilla and Lenny McNamara were also now getting plenty of the ball around the forward 50 as they set up a multitude of opportunities for the likes of Wil Pinniger, who contested brilliantly all day. Jack McMahon once again capitalised on this fantastic work ethic of the group, kicking his second major for the game as the boys went on to record an emphatic win, 14-12-96 to 2-3-15. This earned them not only a Semi Final berth, but a home Semi Final.  Congratulations boys on the brilliant game and amazing achievement.

Thanks to all the boys that helped on the day, with extra special thanks to Ms Holly Speed who was absolutely awesome stepping into the role of Team Manager for the day, it was greatly appreciated by all!

The team also thanks the many students and staff who organised to come down to watch the game during their lunch break – your effort and support spurred us on.

Mr Lee Coghlan (Coach), Jack McMahon, Archer Day-Wicks, Patrick Blake, Hugh Behrens, Ben Miller, Daniel Noden, Zane Connick, Wil Pinniger, Bailey Warfe, Isaac Meersbergen, Declan Stevenson, Oscar Cail, Xavier Grant, Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Oliver Morris, Thomas Davie, Seamus Doherty, Drew Costigan, Daniel Artavilla, Tobie Travaglia, Charlie King, Joe Artavilla, Darby Whatley, Henry Edwards, Gus Hay, Deakin Andrews, Shannon Tardrew, Oliver Edmiston, Logan Kilcullen, Lenny McNamara, Harvey White, Kobi MacDonald