Magnificent weather greeted the Cygnet and Sorell Football Clubs and its supporters last Saturday as they did battle at Cygnet Oval in front of a good home crowd. The shining light for the Club, the Colts, continued on their winning way with a terrific victory over the young Eagles. The first quarter was an even battle with both sides hungry for the football and going in hard at every contest. In the second term the game became more physical, with the Port youngsters not willing to take a backwards step. They really fired up, and toward the middle of the term, banged on five goals to break the game open. After half time the game produced some terrific passages of play from both sides, but the Cygnet boy’s playing a great brand of team football kicked away to record a convincing 66 point win. Best players on the day included Dean Atkinson, who was at his straight ahead best, hard at both the footy and man, while Loic Auderset continues to grow into an emerging ruck-man in the competition. Ben Halton and Max Carter were damaging up forward with 4 goals each, while Will Ford and Tom Nichols as usual mopped up around the ground. Josh Cowen led a tight defence and repelled many of the young Eagles forward attacks. “Ejaz” has the boy’s playing good football at present, with this group providing the Club a very bright future. However, there is still a lot of hard work to achieve and tougher games to come. The Reserves appeared to be thrashed on the scoreboard, but those who witnessed the game can attest to a gallant performance against bigger, taller and skillful opposition. They started reasonably well and contained the Eagles to a reasonable lead by quarter time, but dropped their intensity in the second quarter a little to allow the Eagles to slip away on the score-board. After half time, the Sorell side slipped into another gear, playing on at all costs, and with extra numbers around the football, hard running and overlap, proved a touch too skillful and fit for our boy’s. However, no player threw in the towel, and as Coach Andrew Jurd pleaded at three quarter time, fought out the match till the final siren. Best for the Port included Stuart Eaton and Peter Roberts who are both in scintillating form early into the season, while Brad Cordwell and James Shaw threw their bodies around all day to try to lift their side. Nathan Clark and Matty Slater were very good around the ground against overwhelming odds. Our sole goal came from Daniel Watson. The Senior side was fired up for an improved effort after the insipid performance against Triabunna, and their body language before the game suggested improvement was on the cards. With the advantage of a slight breeze the Port went into attack early, but the Sorell side fought back with the Port holding a slender lead at quarter time. In the second term, we returned to our poor habits, and a lack of manning up, chase and apply pressure resulted in the Sorell side scoring easy goals to kick away to a handy 5 goal lead at half time. However, the Port still felt we were in the game. After a rev-up from “Pud” Darcy at half time, the side was far more committed in tackling, chasing, pressure and commitment to win the footy. In an even term the Eagles still held a commanding lead at three quarter time. The final term resulted in a goal shoot out with the Eagles kicking seven to the Ports six to record a comfortable 43 point victory. Best players for the Port included Ben Dean who was sensational with his hard running, tackling, commitment and desire to win the football all day, ably supported by Tim Bone and Rhys Synnott who both found plenty of leather. “Pud” Darcy marked well while Rhys Jennings continued his good form, and Mitchell Direen appreciated the chance to run on the wing providing the side drive. Recruit, Cade Ebdon was the side’s major goal-scorer with 3, while Jamie Direen, “Pud”, Ben Dean and Sam Walter contributed 2 apiece. While any loss is not acceptable, the players at least regained some respect from supporters with a much improved and honest four quarter effort. The challenge is to kick on from this benchmark and build on it again next week against Claremont. All supporters are urged to make the trip to Abbotsfield Park this Saturday to “Support the Port”.

PORT VOLUNTEERS OF THE WEEK:

This week’s volunteer’s of the week is the Canteen staff. While too many to mention, every home game they turn up to help the Port raise funds and feed supporters of both sides. The Club truly appreciates the time given by every person as part of the Canteen roster.