FITZROY 2 v CANTERBURY GREENS 1st August 2010

Today we celebrated the 50th games of three more of the team, Hudson, Josh and Nick. The three boys ran onto the ground followed by the rest of the team with nothing to lose. The Roys weren't going to make it into the finals, but they still had two tough games to play. Canterbury had beaten the Roys convincingly last time, during the "Umpire Appreciation" round!

Wild, blustery conditions were promised for today's game, however the game started with a sunny sky and a wind favoring the Edinburgh Gardens end of the ground. With Canterbury unable to field a full team, each team played with 15 players. It wasn't long before the Roy's had their first score on the board, a point to Tom, the Roys had a few more chances and then a point to Himi. Isaac keep getting the ball down the Roys' end. The first goal of the game was kicked by Michael T, the ball was returned to the centre square and then a ball up and out of the centre square to Himi, and a booming GOAL to Himi. (this was going to be the first of Himi's 8 goals for the game!) The ball again down the Roy's end and Himi kicked his second goal. Elia was rucking well, getting the ball to the Roys, then down to the scoring end, another point to the Roys. Then Martin, bulldozing through passed the ball to Himi, who took a great mark and GOAL, his third. The Roys were on fire!!!!!! The ball down the Roy's end again, a mark to Sam, who GOALed. The Roys could do no wrong, a great mark to Jesse, resulting in a point, another point to the Roys, then a GOAL to James. The Roys had kicked a massive 6 goals, 7 points to Canterbury no score.

The second quarter, the Roys were kicking against the wind, James was given the job of defending the opposition's goal. Canterbury put their first score on the board, a goal. The Roys responded with Martin bulldozing through anyone in his way to get the ball up to the Roy's end, a GOAL to Jesse, a GOAL to Tom and two more points to the Roys. Then Himi kicked his fourth GOAL and took a fantastic mark, then an great mark to Walt. The Roys went into the half time break 58 points up.

The second half of the game, the Roys kept adding to their score, two points to the Roys and the two great GOALS to Martin. Two more points on the board this time to 50 gamers Josh and Nick, and another goal to Martin, his third goal in the quarter. Another booming kick this time by Martin, down to Sam and a GOAL to Sam. The ball back to Himi, taking a super mark and the GOAL number five! Another GOAL, to James for his second of the game. John was working well in defence, stopping the ball from getting to close to Canterbury's goal. Then Himi, added two more points to the score, then a mark by Sam and Sam kicked his third GOAL. The siren sounded, the Roys were ahead by 105 points.

The wind had died down for the fourth quarter, and Hudson was moved into the ruck after an outstanding 3 quarters in defence. From the tap, our third 50 gamer, asserted himself by not only winning the tap but also using strong body on body work to get the ball moving forward again for Fitzroy. The resultant forward movement led to another grab by Himi who goaled for his sixth. Canterbury had not given up and put together their best play of the day to respond with a long awaited goal. The Roys answered with another GOAL, James' third. Sam took a great mark and kicked a point. Isaac then kicked his first GOAL for the game, Canterbury then kicked their third goal. Wasn't long before the ball was in Himi's hands again and he had kicked his seventh GOAL. Martin again bulldozing out of the centre of the ground and another GOAL to Martin. The last goal of the game was a free kick down the ground to Himi, which gave Himi his eighth GOAL, the Roy's 22nd!

Congratulations boys and Howard. What a game! See you next week for our last game for the season.

THE SCORE BOARD

50 games - not so bad