COLBINABBIN’S senior football side battled hard against LBU in the Heathcote District Football League on Saturday but was left to rue another slow start as it went down to the Cats for the second time this season.
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The Hoppers conceded seven goals to one in the opening term which, given the appalling conditions, was enough to effectively end the game.
Colbinabbin went on to win the final three quarters, but it was still not enough to overcome the six-goal quarter-time margin.
Best players: Damien Carmody, Todd Bryant, Ben Southam, Matthew Riordan, Will Morrow and Hadleigh Sirett.
Reserves: The reserves snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after trailing the Cats at every break.
A scoreless first term meant the Hoppers would be playing catch up football after quarter-time.
A more productive second quarter saw Colbinabbin reduce the margin to seven points at half-time.
The Hoppers continued to use their momentum in the third as they again chipped away at the margin, trimming it back to just three points at three-quarter-time.
An electric last quarter culminated with Guy Rathjen snapping truly from the boundary to guide Colbo to an unlikely victory.
Best players: Jono Barnett, Tim O’Dwyer, Keegan Haigh, Darcy Taylor, Harry Rathjen and Riley Wachter.
Thirds: The thirds played well for three quarters but failed to make the most of their opportunities.
They booted 1.5 with the wind in the opening term, which allowed the Cats to stay in the game.
LBU were able to apply scoreboard pressure in the second and skip out to a three-goal lead.
The young Hoppers weren’t able to arrest the momentum but continued to battle hard until the final siren.
Best players: Sam Ryan, Charlie Ryan, Jaidyn McIlroy, Mal Connally, Hugh Kerlin and Jack Cairns.
Netball
A grade: Battling blustery conditions, including thunder and lightning, the A grade girls came away with an outstanding win at Lockington this weekend.
Despite the conditions, the girls were able to score 60 goals with Marti Rodger, Jess Geary and Liv McEvoy goaling well throughout the game.
The defenders were superb with Elli Duthie, Kate Chirnside and Lou Dupuy teaming up in defence to keep Lockington to only 14 goals for the match.
A great win for the girls, proving they well and truly deserve top spot on the ladder.
Scores: Colbo 60 def. LBU 14.
A Reserve: Colbo 29 lt LBU 36.
B grade:With mother nature not in anyone’s favour, we were lucky to have some of the star B res recruits help us out.
Mikayla was one of those shining stars playing an absolute pearler.
We welcomed Maggie into our side and with her nerves peaking at a solid 150 per cent, it did not show in her game.
But it was Macy who stole the show, running out her first full game in centre with grace and ease to be awarded best on court.
Even with a loss the girls slogged it out to the last dying seconds.
Scores: Colbo 20 lt LBU 33.
B Reserve: Colbo 27 lt LBU 40.
U17:The girls sloshed their way to a one-goal win over Lockington as the rain fell in buckets throughout the game but both teams managed to keep their footing and their sense of humour.
The conditions made scoring difficult, but Ella Kerlin still managed to control the ball beautifully and was outstanding in goals.
Zara Myers was on fire in defence and was ready to take advantage of missed goaling opportunities by taking countless rebounds.
Awards: Zara Myers (Rochester Sportspower) and Ella Kerlin (Subway).
Scores: Colbo 44 def. Lockington 28.
U15: The under 15s had a tough game against the top of the ladder LBU.
Stella, Zoe and Jo shared the defensive roles in the first half with Dana and Riley playing in the second half.
Summer and Dana only managed to score five goals in the first two quarters with Kenzie and Monica in mid-court.
The rain began at half time and both teams were cold and wet by the end of the game.
Awards: Mackenzie and Jo.
Scores: Colbo 9 lt LBU 49