The Cygnet Football Club played host to the Channel Saints last Saturday and finished the day with three well deserved victories.

The Colts picked up where they left off the previous week and jumped out of the blocks in the first quarter leaving the Saints flat-footed. With Loic Auderset providing good drive from the ruck contests, they continually drove the ball into a lively forward line containing Ben Halton, Brendan Shaw and Max Carter. Adam Duggan led a rebounding backline assisted by Adam Direen. Apart from a fade out during part of the second quarter, and again at the start of the third, they dominated play all day to go on and record an easy 102 point win. To the young Channel side’s credit, they never threw in the towel, and fought hard till the end of the game. Better players for the Port included Will Ford, Adam Duggan and Ben Halton who also kicked 7 goals and took a brilliant “hanger” in the square. Tom Nichols continued his good form, while Joe Shields and Loic Auderset were consistent all day. The other multiple goal-scorer was Brendan Shaw with 3. A good win for the boy’s and a good test coming up at Dodges Ferry this weekend. The Reserves hit the ground running and looked switched on from the first bounce. They quickly took control of the game and were well in control by half time. Peter Roberts continued his excellent form with a solid display in the ruck, while Stuart Eaton set up many scoring attacks with strong run out of defence. He received good support from Rohan Gudden while Jason Strong was his usual elusive self prowling the forward line. Tom Nichols in his second game of the day played well in the back half while Marcus Synnott was his usual committed self, earning plenty of hard-ball gets for teammates. With a spirited 50 point win, the boy’s under new coach Andrew Jurd will continue to improve as the Club’s injury list improves. Major goal scorers were “Yabby”Strong with 5, Daniel Watson with 3, while James Sawford and “Wally”Synnott both contributed 2 each. The Club acknowledges the Colts players who assisted the Reserves to field a full side on the day. The Seniors knew the importance of a good win after two disappointing performances in previous weeks, and started well against the Saints. An eight goal to nil first term virtually sealed the game, and with Jamie Direen up forward the focus point, the side moved the ball long for him to dominate the square. Coach Darcy in the centre was hitting the contests hard leading by example while young Will Dean was providing terrific drive out of the backline. When the Saints did go forward Daniel Webster and Andrew Jurd turned them away consistently, with good run coming from our defence assisting in setting up many attacking moves. The longer the game went the further the Port increased its lead and with Rhys Synnott and Matty Creek winning plenty of the football, the Port had numerous avenues to goal. Every player contributed to the result in a much improved performance. An eventual 140 point win proved a real confidence boost for the young side, and first win as Senior Coach for “Pud” Darcy. Consistent with the Club’s youth policy in 2008, it was good to see Will Ford and Loic Auderset both make impressive Senior debut’s in the game, with Will receiving an incentive award and kicking a good goal. Well done boys!

 To Channels credit they fought hard all day and appeared undermanned. It is good to see “Boots” and Bobby Smith assisting in the quest to rebuild this Club to its former glory days, something the Cygnet Football Club wishes them well in achieving. The weigh in for the biggest loser proved interesting for those present at the Clubrooms, as most thought losing weight was the main aim of the contest. With most appearing to “gain weight” on the scales, one can only wonder who will be the eventual winner when contestants are back on the scales in May.

See you all at Dodges Ferry and “Support the Port in 2008”.