It was another tough day on the footy field for Blighty, suffering heavy losses in both the thirds and fourths in round two of the Picola & District League on Saturday.
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The Redeyes clashed with the combined Berrigan and Deni Rams sides, with the Saints proving too strong on their home deck.
Blighty’s thirds struggled early against Berrigan, with the Saints scoring a 109 point win.
A dominant start saw the Saints score 12 unanswered goals in the first half, leading by 76 points at half time.
Blighty refused to back down however, stepping up to the challenge in the third term to hit the scoreboard through Harvey White, kicking his first goal for the club.
Berrigan got the slight edge in the third with 1.3 to 1.1.
The home team lifted again in the last term however, keeping the Redeyes goalless while adding five more majors.
A good mix of Rams and Saints featured in the best for Berrigan, with Cooper Willoughby leading the way in the middle.
Aidan Fennell impressed, Darcy McManus was a force up forward with six goals, and Callum Hulley, Bailey Thornton and Shakur Eliu also impressed.
Blighty were best served by Luke Learmonth, Charlie Waters, Dean Macdonald and Tom Barker.
Redeyes coach Andy Amor said there was plenty to like about his side’s performance.
‘‘Luke Learmonth was outstanding and gave plenty of drive off the back flank,’’ Amor said.
‘‘Charlie Waters also had another great game on the wing, winning a lot of the ball.
‘‘It was a tighter contest than the scoreboard showed.
‘‘All the boys played exceptionally well, giving everything they had and did not stop trying for the whole game.’’
A consistent four quarter performance saw Berrigan claim a 75 point win in the fourths.
Final score, Berrigan 13.10 (88) to Blighty 2.1 (13).
Starring for the Saints were Logan Leiper, Brodie Park (three goals), Caleb Thornton, Chelsea Mason, Xavier Fox and Luke Todd
Blighty’s best were Seth Morris, Harry McIlwain, Max Caruso, Bede Orr, Jarrod Bashford and Will Dudley.
Redeyes fourths coach Matt Dudley said while it was a tough day, his side never gave up.
‘‘I was very proud of how everyone played, from the top age players to the fifths that came up for a run.
‘‘We started off really well, matching it with Berrigan early.
‘‘We even hit the scoreboard first with a behind.
‘‘As the game went on we just couldn’t match it with Berrigan’s top age group unfortunately.
‘‘Seth Morris gave plenty of talk and run on ball and Harry McIlwain played well in his man on man role in the middle.
‘‘Max Caruso was our backline star at full back and Bede Orr proved to be a handy new recruit in the ruck.’’
Blighty’s fifths were also in action against the Saints and showed that the future is bright.
While scores were not officially kept, Blighty led for the entire game in a close contest in foggy conditions.
Best players for Blighty were Harrison Wilson, Olli Culton, William Frost, Jack Culton, Charlie Wilson and Tom Bain.
Redeyes coach Sammy Rourke said the game had many highlights.
‘‘Darcy Johnson kicked our first before Nick Arnold got a goal for Berrigan,’’ she said.
‘‘Tommy Dudley snapped a beautiful goal and Ollie Culton took a strong mark to goal in the second.
‘‘Berrigan’s Tully Ryan goaled early in the third but we hit back with two goals from William Frost.
‘‘The Saints scored the only goal of the last quarter, with both sides playing the game right out to the end.
‘‘There were some great marks, particularly from the little kids.’’