Round 3 Bassendean V’s Kalamunda at Jubilee Reserve
This game promised to be a very tough one as Bassendean had lost their two previous games and would look to open their account at the expense of the Cougars, the new members of the ‘B’ grade competition.
The presentation of an ANZAC ceremony before the commencement of play inspired both teams to throw caution to the wind as they struggled to gain ascendancy in the first quarter. The game featured hard tackling, high marking and fierce spoiling throughout the contest.
Both sides were prepared to use short accurate passing from defensive situations to break the lines and encourage play-on football making the spectacle a pleasure to watch.
The Cougars could have established a match winning lead in the first quarter as they kicked 2.4 to Bassendean’s solitary goal. However, their forward efforts weren’t rewarded as their depth and length of kicking enabled the ‘Basso’ backs to break up the majority of their attacks.
Bret van Groningen playing forward was outstanding in this term ably supported by Skipper Trent Pottinger who kicked one of his two goals and looked to be finding form again after the first two rounds.
In the second quarter, Bassendean rallied and began to win the ball from the center bounce downs to put extra pressure on our backs. Over the last two rounds our backline has become a cohesive unit, with their fierce tackling and hard spoiling and they kept Bassendean to 1.2 for the quarter.
The Cougars responded to this pressure, with goals from ‘Dutchie’ van Groningen and Josh Harris to extend their lead by 15 points at half time.
The third quarter was an evenly matched struggle with many stoppages and short passing to gain advantage, however the Cougars prevailed and went into the final term with a lead of 16 points. Had they composed themselves before having some of their set-shots for goal, they would have had a more comfortable lead.
The final term was almost a carbon copy of the third with both sides desperate to gain any advantage. Kyle Murray, Adrin Cowin and Trent Pottinger responded to Bassendean’s 3 goals, by booting one each to end an exciting quarter 16 points in front!
This was a great win through a great team effort and should place the Cougars in the middle of the ‘B’ grade ladder, a club objective at this stage of the season.
Final scores: Kalamunda 10.10 – 70, Bassendean 8.6 – 54
Best players: Team effort!
Special Mentions: Bret van Groningen, great return to the side, Brendyn McLeish, into everything and Michael Garfield, solved the ruck problem with a solid first game.
Goals: Bret van Groningen 3, Kyle Murray 2, Trent Pottinger 2, Josh Harris, Dustin Brown & Adrian Cowin 1 each.
Other results from round 3
B Reserves – Bassendean 15.7 – 97, Kalamunda 3.8 – 26
E1 All Stars – Whitford 6.8 – 44, Kalamunda 4.7 – 31
Cougar Ladies – Bayswater 4.3 – 27, Kalamunda 1.2 – 8
BJC Colts – Bye
DBC Colts – Kalamunda 12.4 – 76, Bassendean 4.8 – 32
Next week’s game: Round 4, Kalamunda V’s Hamersley Carine 03:05 PM, Sat 6 May at Ray Owen Reserve.
This post is dedicated to the Yaksich Osteopathic Clinic and Hawleys Shoes and Menswear proud sponsors of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club
