Bears prevail over saints in tight contest

Tungamah travelled to Berrigan on Saturday to take on the second placed Saints in what was a must win game for the Bears in their quest for a top 4 position.

After some welcome rain during the week conditions were a little heavy and it took the visitors some time to adapt.

It was Tungamah’s first game since the Covid break, and with limited training they seemed to lack some touch and didn’t show the required intensity level early on.

Berrigan on the other hand had a solid win against Katandra last week and came ready to play.

They were all over the Bears in the first quarter and probably should have been further in front than 11 points at the first break.

The second term was a real arm wrestle, with both sides cracking in for the contested ball.

Tungamah started to show a little more composure with ball in hand and were starting to pick their way through the Berrigan defence.

However as has been the case for most of the year they were having trouble converting in front of goal. The Bears managed 1 goal 6 for the term, and restricted Berrigan to 1 goal 2 to trail by 7 points at the long break.

After making a few structural changes at ½ time Tungamah started to get the game on their terms in the third quarter.

Their midfield was starting to gain some control with Nick Irvine and Xavier Stevenson continuing on from where they left off 3 weeks ago.

Their hard running and precise ball use was giving the Tungamah forwards some really good supply.

The addition of Matt O’Kane to the midfield group also proved to be fruitful, he used his body well in the contest and got the ball going Tungamah’s way.

The Bears had the majority of the play and had 9 shots on goal for the term, however the poor conversion continued with a net result of 3 goals 6 to the Saints 2 goals 2,;Tungamah by 1 point at the final change.

The Bears turned up the heat early in the final term and after 7 minutes of controlling the play they finally broke the game open with 3 quick majors.

Tyson McKenzie bobbed up with a couple in the last and ended with 4 for the day to be the most effective forward on the ground.

After the loss of Symes to a knee injury early in the first term Tom Irvine had to take the ruck duties and did well against a much bigger opponent, he was able to get around the ground and

Berrigan 3.1, 4.3, 6.5, 7.5.47

Tungamah 1.2, 2.8, 5.12, 10.17.77.

Goals: Tungamah: T. McKenzie 4, X. Stevenson 2, A. Saunders 1, J. Irvine 1, N. Irvine 1, N. Lawless 1.

Berrigan: W. Demasi 2, W. Gorman 2, R. Middleton 1, J. Anthony 1, T. Beams 1.

Best: Tungamah: N. Irvine, C. Powell, X. Stevenson, T. McKenzie, T. Irvine, M. O’Kane. Berrigan: M. Ross, G. Martin, R. Middleton, J. Dalgliesh, W. Robinson, W. Demasi.

took some telling marks and used the ball well when he got it.

Chris Powell was under every pack and as usual the veteran was classy with ball in hand.

The defence is gelling very well and working for each other, Wally Thomson and Ned Connell were both hard at it all day, while Gus Ford marshalled the troops and won a lot of one-on-one contests.

Ben Beaton and Travis Hayes both deserved mentions for their tireless work on the wings, and both of them were dangerous when going forward.

All in all, it was a solid win for the Bears with 27 scoring shots to 12 indicating that they won most areas of the contest, they just need to clean up their finishing in front of the big sticks as we head into the second half of the season.

Awards: Hard Luck – Wally Thomson, Thyme For Coffee – Tom Irvine, Club Mulwala – Nick Irvine, SM Massage – Matt O’Kane & TFNC Canteen – Ned Connell.

The Bears travelled to Berrigan in what should have been a Tungamah home game but had to leave COVID ridden Vic to play in NSW.

This was a very hard-fought contested game of footy all day and the Bears were a bit rusty in the 1st half after not playing footy for 3 weeks.

The reserves welcomed back Sam Kellock in his 1st game of the year where he had a great game, as did big gun forward Jake “ribeyesteak” Henderson, who was dominant kicking 7 goals.

The veterans in the middle Alan Richardson, Shane Thomson and Justin Saunders were solid contributors all day.

Brandon Fitzpatrick did well down back controlling their full forward who looked dangerous and Brayden Beaton was brilliant at CHB.

Mitch Adkins, Ben Griffin, Gus Heslin and Mitch Goldman all did well on the day. Big gun Alex Reilly was again good up forward.

Tom Lidgerwood was good in the ruck helping gain plenty of clearances in the 2nd half.

At 3/4 time the game was in the balance, however a 4-goal final quarter saw the Bears run out victorious by 38 points.

Thanks to Berrigan for allowing the Bears to all get back out to the community and enjoy a great day at the footy and netball.

Goals: J. Henderson 7, B. Irvine 1, A. Heslin 1. Awards: Wingates - Jake Henderson, Belles Cafe - Sam Kellock, Thyme for Coffee - Mitch Adkins, Ricky D’s - Brandon Fitzpatrick, Hard Luck Coffee - Alex Reilly.

The Saints welcomed the Bears to their home ground and provided a fantastic day for footy to return. Sidey got the boys fired up and let them loose. The Saints started well and had plenty of the ball. Inaccurate kicking by the Saints kept the Bears in the game. By half time the Bears had managed to put 6 goals on the board.

The boys were playing well as a team, and everyone seemed to be getting a touch. The interchange bench was running hot as Sidey was trying to give everyone as much game time as he could.

The Saints rallied in the third quarter and put on 3 early goals which evened things up a bit, but the Bears were not to be out done and put on 3 of their own.

The Bears finished off the last quarter well with 4 more majors. Tom Costigan and Harvey Thomson seemed to be everywhere and gave great drive into the forward line.

Beau Cummins and Jackson Purtell were both good in the ruck and around the ground. Bohdi Leonard chipped in with 3 sneaky goals from the pocket and Jack Costigan with 2.

Darcy Hicks bulldozed his way through the packs and repeatedly repelled the ball from the back line.

Jye Brennan had another good day out and kicked 6 majors. The match was played in good spirit and it’s great to see the boys improve every week and bond together as a team.

Goals Kickers: Jye Brennan 6, Bohdi Leonard 3, Jack Costigan 2, Darcy Hicks 1, Harvey Thomson 1.

Awards: Buerckner Builders award - Tom Costigan, TFNC award - Beau Cummins, Crusty Loaf award - Harvey Thomson, Yarra Fish & Chip award - Jye Brennan & McDonalds award - Jackson Purtell.

Last weekend Lucas stepped up as captain and lead the side to a great win. The boys began the game with a 3-goal 1st quarter.

Lachy W starred in the forward line kicking 4 goals, whilst Lachy M had control in the backline making the Saints forwards work hard.

Cooper played his best game for the year and is really having a big impact on the game. Billy played his usual hard at the ball game, working well with Lach.

Bohdi and Will were great assets again kicking a goal and directing the play around the ground.

Every single Bears player contributed, playing their roles and showing how much they improve every week.

Goals: L. Wren 4, H. Irvine 1, B. Leonard 1. Awards: Crusty Loaf- Cooper, Atheneum Lach M, Nagles- Will, Burke’s Hotel- Bohdi, Fish and Chips - Lach W.

The Bear cubs showed that cold weather doesn’t affect them, and all came out excited to play. Their skills are improving each week which is great to watch.

Awards: McDonald’s – Angus, McDonald’s – Byron, Crusty loaf – Cooper & Riverbank constructions – Fraser.