Match Report – Under 17 – Round 1, 2018
U17 Boys – Bayswater vs Wantirna South.
In very wet and slippery conditions at Bayswater Junior Ground the U17 boys took on Wantirna South in their opening game to the 2018 season.
With over 10 new players coming into the team to replace those who departed at the end of last season it was always going to be a difficult task coming up against a strong Wantirna side first up.
Right from the opening bounce we were under pressure. With clear advantage in the ruck, the Wantirna midfield gained control of the stoppages and had several forward attacks and 3 goals on the board before our boys made any significant entry into our forward line. The boys did manage to get their hands on the ball a bit more as the first quarter went on and were rewarded for their efforts when Ben Wale kicked a goal in his first game for the club.
The first half followed a similar pattern with a clear difference in skill execution and attack on the ball being the main reason for concern. Despite being 9 goals down as we went to half time the boys were determined to make a better impression in the second half.
Although the margin continued to widen there was a much better contest in the second half. With Luke Phillips continuing his outstanding form at full back from last year along with Jarryd Cameron and Chris Vines playing well in their first games, scoring became much harder for Wantirna. In the middle, Matt Elvin worked tirelessly all day whilst Daniel Brown was a standout in the forward half providing repeat efforts and aggression at the contest all day in a forward line starved of opportunity.
In all a disappointing start to the year but with plenty of determination from the boys and some hard work on the training track we look forward to an improved effort against Waverley Blues in our Anzac round clash.
- Bayswater 1.4.10
- Wantirna South 16.15.111
Goals: Ben Wale 1
Best Players: Matt Elvin, Jarryd Cameron, Daniel Brown, Chris Vines, Luke Phillips, Alex Giffen
Rob Dunford
U17s Coach