Another unusual start to the game with all players taking a thermo shot to the head to check temperatures before practice. All 11 players ok with the exception of head coach Sim who had not had his bacon buttie and was officially as cool as a cucumber.

Starting the game with no face off, Mellor took the start and with a superb assist from Daniel, Noah scored the opening goal within minutes. It was a strong start to the game from Mellor with some great passing, tactics and teamwork. The second goal by Leo shortly followed to take Mellor 2 goals up not long after. A cracking set up followed from Daniel but bore no fruit as Noah just missed the goal.

It didn’t matter as Dyl had a clean pick up, was quick on his feet and scored his first, quickly followed by a sneaky check and an on target throw to score his second to take Mellor 0-4 up.

Boardman took possession and went to goal, Sausage made the save though with a twizzle of the stick the ball rolled over the line with an unfortunate goal to Boardman. Noah and Dyl kept the ball moving before Dyl made a dash to score his hat-trick. No stopping him now, within minutes Dyl had scored again to make his forth in the first quarter.

With Mellor 5 goals ahead the boys really found their game. Daniel was like Tigger with a superb catch, shortly followed by a textbook pass from Leo to Daniel forming a great assist to Noah to score his second taking the score to 1-6. Noah quickly found his legs who missed a shot but then led to a tense grapple on the side line. Ed muscled in for a clean pick up and he was away much to his dismay with the whistle for the end of the first quarter.

Boardman started a much less frenetic second quarter with both teams settling into a rhythm. Leo had a good shot on goal but the Boardman keeper was on point with quick reaction and a good save. Mellor picked up the pace and again with some great techniques, Ed, again unleashed from defence, intercepted well and scored followed by an entertaining (sorry Ed!) yet graceful fall over the crease. Leo quickly followed with his second to take the score to 1-9.

For the second game of the season, thanks to the coaching from Sim and Drew, Mellor’s teamwork and game had fight with Q2 coming to a end with a deserved goal from newcomer Finlay leaving a half time score of 1-10.

Q3 with a mix up of positions, Ethan & Oli Gill, and Joseph confidence was starting to show. A good few ground balls, passes and legs, legs, legs led with an excellent save by Leo. Dylan quickly followed with scoring his forth of the game. Ed soon followed with his second as his shot rolled over the line taking the score to 1-12. Sausage, Noah and Ed all followed with great attempts on goal without success. Leo helped to keep Boardman at bay with another great save. Noah followed with a tiring sprint from defence to score his hat-trick before Sausage scored with a assist from Daniel. Impeccable sportsmanship throughout with Q3 finishing with the first foul of the game in the last minute.

A further 4 goals in Q4 starting with Joseph and then a full length run from brother Daniel. The ball quickly finding its way to Leo in goal and then a good half pitch clear. Boardman with some ‘man of the match’ saves kept Mellor from increasing their lead further although no snoozing for Leo with quick unnecessary reactions as Boardman’s shot hit the post. The quarter finished with a bruising foul to Noah in the last minute and a finishing goal from Daniel with a final score of 1-18 (that’s a Mellor win Kate Freeman!).

A great game and sportsmanship by both teams and some expert coaching by Sim and Drew. The boys had a good opportunity to play in all positions with an incredible 8 boys from the team of 11 scoring today…well done Mellor.

Results by Quarter

Q1 1-7

Q2 0-3

Q3 0-4

Q4 0-4

Players Goals

No5 Ed F – 3

No8 Leo – 2

No1 Finlay – 1

No13 Dyl – 5

No14 Joseph – 1

No15 Noah – 3