Magpies win in Rochester

Seniors TAKING on 'like–for–like' town Rochester at the weekend, Euroa Magpies' senior footballers took to their challenge with great enthusiasm and determination to get the win. The game began with home team Rochester looking to chip the ball around all afternoon – their mantra seemed to be as long as they had the ball the Magpies were unable to score. To that end this tactic worked well, at times, yet when the Magpies grabbed their opportunity they did not miss out. The Magpies' midfield – superbly led again by captain Jacob Gleeson – were making the most of receiving first use from ruckman Andrew Smith and his back–up Nate Stewart. Some of the passages of play throughout the afternoon where the ball moved from Ryan Pendlebury's boot deep in the backline to finish in a forwards' hands after two or three slick kicks were a delight to witness. Jack McKernan proved yet again how fit and determined he is to create opportunity up–forward in a superb display of leading and marking throughout the afternoon. Jayden Gleeson was dynamic on the wing with young–gun Cohen Paul coming into his own in the second half as he led well and converted with a couple of key goals at the right time. The last quarter saw the proverbial flood gates open with Euroa banging on several goals in succession in what ended up being a 38–minute term. This meant Euroa pretty–much doubled their score in this 20–minute period to comfortably run–out victors by 50 points. A home game this coming weekend (June 17) against Mooroopna awaits. Euroa 14.15.99 defeated Rochester 7.7.49 Best players: Jack McKernan, Jacob Gleeson, Nate Trotter, Andrew Smith, Max Gleeson, Ryan Pendlebury Goal kickers: Jack McKernan (4), Andrew Smith (3), Jayden Gleeson (2), Cohen Paul (2), Erish Uthayakumar (1), Nate Stewart (1), Ryan Hill (1) Reserves IT was a very competitive first–half of football for the reserves against a much lower ranked opponent in Rochester. Coach Linc McKernan was again able to scramble up a side with the likes of Tynan Cummins and Ned Ivill stepping up from the under 18 match to help out yet again – thanks boys. The 'twin–towers' up forward in Ash Hobbs and Robbie Wilson promised to do a lot of damage on the scoreboard throughout the match. Problem was that their opportunities were few and far between in the first half as the Rochester midfield looked to break even with the likes of hard–running Magpies' Peter Cairns, Ben Harrison and Jack Christie. With the arrival of Chris McKay into the ruck the ball started to be sent forward with greater regularity by the Magpies. The Euroa forwards began to capitalise accordingly as the scoreboard opened up later in the game to allow the Magpies to assert their dominance. Captain Robbie Wilson filled his bag with four goals and was instrumental in a few other scoring opportunities. Nicholas Hill bagged a couple of goals pin another fine display as the Magpies notched up another victory. Euroa 14.12.96 defeated Rochester 5.6.36 Goal Kickers Euroa: Robbie Wilson (4), Ash Hobbs (2), Nicholas Hill (2), Peter Cairns (1), Declan Redfern (1), Matthew Lawrence (1), Lachy Cooke (1) Best Players: Peter Cairns, Ben Harrison, Jack Christie, Nicholas Hill, Matthew Lawrence Under 18s By JACK WALTERS IT was an early start for Euroa Magpies' players and parents alike as they loaded up cars for the trek to Rochester – no doubt a couple of players and indeed some of the parents needed a push out of bed to get going. The condition were a bit damp from the rain this week resulting in some scrambled play until the emerging sun dried the ground out. Rochester scored a goal from the first ball up, Euroa won the next clearance and ran the ball forward resulting in a rushed behind. The backline held up while intercepting Rochester's many inside 50's, led by Brodie Hamill, Robert Lawrence and Bailey Allen. Ned Ivill was reading the ball well all day. In the second quarter, Euroa's midfield started getting on top with help from the ruckmen who were winning the tap outs, which lead to a quick goal from Will Creevey. Euroa's forward line pressure lifted to lock the ball in, producing another goal for Creevey. Mitch Walters won the clearance and provided a slick handpass to Tynan Cummins who in turn passed to Jack Walters which resulted in a point. Yet again we saw some great efforts from the likes of Dublin Anderson to keep Euroa in it and going forward. Euroa's effort could not be questioned as the side out–played Rochy this quarter, only a couple of missed scoring opportunities and turn overs being the difference on the scoreboard. In the third quarter, there were several courageous efforts from Mitch Walters going back with the flight of the ball. Cale Robertson laid a strong tackle and backed up with a crunching shepherd – this was a great example of how to help your teammates when you don't have the ball. Robert Lawrence was showing courage putting his head over the ball time and again – unfortunately one of these occasions resulting in a broken nose. Some great game awareness from Tynan Cummins allowed him to switch the ball to Mitch Walters who from 55 meters fired a shot at goal that missed narrowly. In an inspiring move by Coach Hill, Blake Hepworth was moved into the centre to provide impact at the contest – which did very well. There was some great leading up the ground from Alif Chambers and Kusuma Wolfenden was keeping the Magpies forward line alive. In the last quarter Euroa's effort did not disappoint, holding the ball in their forward half until the opportunity opened for Will Creevey to kick his third goal for the Magpies. The Magpies fought it out until the end but could not get the job done. Final Scores Euroa 3.4.22 Rochester 16.18.114 Goal kickers: Will Creevey 3 Best Players: Will Creevey, Mitch Walters, Bailey Allen, Ned Ivill, Dublin Anderson, Jack Walters