It was a tough ask for the Orbost Snowy Rovers in round 12 of the East Gippsland Junior Football Association, making the trek to Bairnsdale to take on the powerful Wy Yung Tigers.
In the under 11s the mini Orbost Snowy Rovers took on the competition giant, who were good to lend the Blues some players to even up the numbers.
The match was played in great spirit, with outstanding sportsmanship showed by all players and volunteer officials.
Beau Russell’s defensive pressure was awesome, while Jack Joiner had plenty of disposals surging the ball forward every time.
Charlotte Burt and Molly Hardy attacked the ball with no fear and Joe Milward’s superb marking skills were again on display.
Despite going down, there was plenty to like about the performance.
The Tigers began strongly in the under 13s, setting the tone for the match, eventually running out winners by five goals.
Wy Yung had first use of the breeze and the Rovers put great pressure on in defence, led by Sampson Clementine and Jimmy Hardy, who ran through clearing the back diligently on multiple occasions.
The second quarter saw the Blues’ hard work and effort pay off with a Hugh Scott goal, after locking the ball inside the forward half most of the quarter by winning the hard ground ball contests.
This resulted in the Blues outscoring the ladder leaders, which impressed the coaching staff.
The tackling pressure continued after the main change with the Blues continuing to win a lot of the scrambled ground ball contest.
The match developed into a real hard-fought battle where Orbost stood tall and dug deep to limit the scoring of the Tigers.
The Blues might not have come away with the four points, but the effort against the might of the competition leaders was a big win in coach’s eyes and showing the vast improvement in skills and game style structure.
Best player awards went to Aiden Fulton-Hughes, Samson Clementine, Lachlan Robinson, Mitch Herbert and Grace Morrison.
It was another tough task in the under 15s taking on the unbeaten Tiger juggernaut, but the Orbost Snowy Rovers youngster kids did themselves proud by never giving in to the classy Wy Yung outfit, who ran out 50-point winners.
Battling hard all over the ground, the Blues had plenty of shining lights, showing teamwork, displaying the game style and structure they’ve been working on at training.
Xavier Martin, Tye Robinson, Cooper Findley and Beau Hanratty lead from the front and blazed a trail for the younger players to follow.
Daniel Martin worked tirelessly all day as did wingers Nikki Farley and Tojoe Martin.
Kayden Smith, Herbert, Hardy and Lachlan Robinson again stepped up from the under 13s and gave their all in a massive effort in their second game for the day.
Smith and Tye Robinson both kicked goals, while the coaching staff settled on Tye Robinson, Xavier and Tojoe Martin, Zade Nordstrom and Damien Mitchell as the better players.
Orbost Snowy Rovers have a bye this week, they will play Lucknow at the Lucknow Recreation Reserve in the final round on July 28.
IMAGE: Orbost’s Charlotte Burt attacks the ground ball contests with no fear during her side’s tough match against Wy Yung at Tigerland last Sunday.
