Friday night saw the Rochester Junior Football Club Under-12s travel to Echuca United, for their first night game of the season.
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The young Tigers were full of enthusiasm for the clash under lights, and did all the early attacking, registering goals through Harrison Wilkins and Asher Rasmussen.
United was quick to settle and move the ball forward, however, were often met with the fierce tackling pressure of Hugh Acocks and Noah Makepeace.
Quarter-time saw coach Toby Acocks commend his troops on use of handpass to create space.
The Tigers midfield and half back line of Louis Frawley, Taylor Murray and Harrison Pangrazio, continued to repel the United forward entries.
A highlight of the second quarter was Zac Howard’s long kick to the goal square, which evaded the hands of several United defenders, before bouncing through for a goal.
Assistant coach Leigh Mundie implored his troops to show accountability to their opposing number. The equally switched-on playing group (lead by Walt James) were quick to point out this would be difficult, when the United players were not displaying numbers on their jumpers.
The Tigers’ accuracy continued in the third quarter, registering goals through Ryder Murray, Will Hayler, and Max Lea.
The final quarter saw positions changes, with Mason Mundie and Hugh Acocks moved to the backline, with the starting on ball bridge being Mitch McInnes, Max Lea and Ryder Murray.
Patrick O’Sullivan’s tackling pressure was a highlight of the fourth term, as was Jaxon Wolfe’s attack on the ball.
Finals scores: Rochester 8.5.53 to Echuca United 0.0.0.
Award winners: Harrison Wilkins, Ryder Murray, Walt James, Max Lea.
Rochester Spreading One Percenter Award: Mitchell McInnes.
The fourth and final round of grading in the Bendigo Junior Football League saw Rochester Tigers Under 14s and Under 16s travel to Bendigo to play on Sunday 21 May.
– Rochester Under-14 faced White Hills.
Topped up with Under-12s, the team looked dominant across all areas of the ground from the start. The team’s consistent efforts ensured a convincing lead throughout the game.
Corey Pangrazio showed confidence playing in all positions across the ground and using the footy well.
Playing at half forward, Ben Hewes used his silky skills to provide the team with many opportunities to score.
Tex Jones was a general at half back, directing the play and taking the game on.
Despite being tagged, Cale James had a considerable impact on the game, winning the footy through the midfield.
Reno Mountjoy was fearless and hungry in contests, moving the play forward with courage and recognised with best on ground.
Efforts by Under 12s — Asher Rasmussen, Hugh Acocks and Mason Mundie — were inspiring. They contributed heavily to the team’s performance and added 6 goals to the score.
Final score: 3.3 21 White Hills to 15.10 100 Rochester
Goal kickers: Asher Rasmussen (5), Morgan Boyack & Cale James (2), Declan Carmichael, Brock Edwards, Leo Hayes, Ben Hewes, Jag Tarrant & Hugh Acocks (1)
Best players: Reno Mountjoy, Cale James, Charles Watson, Tex Jones, Zac Morgan, Leo Hayes
Mayreef Pty Ltd One Percenter Award: Corey Pangrazio
– The Under-16 Tigers ventured to Ewing Park to take on Sandhurst in cold and blustery conditions. Both teams took time to adjust to the wind and the play early was pretty scrappy. When the game settled down, it was the Tigers that adjusted to the tough conditions.
Oakley Tarrant kicked the opener after bursting through a pack and delivering with a nice kick on the run.
Matt Harrington was looking very dangerous up forward, but a few misses did not do his efforts justice. At the first break, Sandhurst lead by five points.
The second quarter saw a lift in standard, as both teams were able to use the ball with precision and moved the ball around the field quickly. The Tigers continued to provide enough ball inside the 50, but struggled to find the finishing kick to deliver a major.
Jimmy Otto looked the most dangerous of the forwards and kicked an important goal to keep the boys within reach.
The backline were holding up brilliantly under pressure and restricted Sandhurst to just the two goals for the quarter. At half-time the lead was 8 points in favour of Sandhurst.
The third quarter was again a tight contest, with the backlines for both teams dominating. Sandhurst threatened to blow the game open, but a nice snap by Jimmy Otto and clever goals to Kade Pearse and Oliver Williams meant that the difference at three quarter time had been reduced to just 3 points.
The pressure rose again in the last quarter as the boys from both teams cracked in and made it a very physical affair. Sandhurst kicked the first of the quarter, but a beautiful left foot goal on the run from Lachie Joyce put the game back to within 3 points. The intensity continued to rise and with 3 minutes left, Matt Harrington learned from his earlier misses to slot a beautiful set shot goal to give the Tigers the lead.
A frantic last minute of play saw the Tigers defence hold up well and looked to have done enough when a long clearing kick from Paddy Eeles was marked 70m from goal. Confusion reigned as the team seemed desperately unlucky to be penalised a 50m penalty. The young boy from Sandhurst slotted the set shot to break the Rochester boys and supporters hearts. It was the last kick of the game as the ball did not return to the centre, meaning the Tigers had lost by 3 points.
The game was a highly entertaining affair, and although the boys didn’t get the result they wanted, they should be extremely proud of the way they competed.
Oakley Tarrant was the best for the Tigers. His ability to run through packs and crunch the opposition with some fearsome tackling was brilliant to watch. He continually bombed the ball long and gave his forwards every chance.
Lachie Joyce again won a stack of the footy, did a lot of the grunt work in close and never stopped running.
Jordy Rasmussen dominated across half back. He took countless intercept marks and was able to provide great run and drive for his team.
Harrison Keating was again creative whenever he got his hands on the ball and was reliable down back.
Oliver Williams ran his wing well, linking up with some good team play.
Sam Seabrook played some tough inside footy in his best game for the year.
Final Scores: Sandhurst 8.5 53 defeated Rochester 7.8 50
Goal kickers: Jimmy Otto (2), Kade Pearse, Matt Harrington, Lachie Joyce, Oliver Williams & Oakley Tarrant (1).
Best players: Oakley Tarrant, Lachie Joyce, Jordy Rasmussen, Harrison Keating, Oliver Williams and Sam Seabrook.
Rochester Football Netball Club One Percenter Award: Will Broucek
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