The Woods returned to the winners list defeating the Bridgewater-Callington Raiders by 19 points in Round 13 of the Police Credit Union Hills Football League at KX Pilates Blackwood Oval.

The victory was the first win since the shock Round 7 victory over the ladder leading Hahndorf Magpies with Blackwood booting their second highest score of the season to date and is the first time since Round 5 2020 where the team and registered at least 33 shots at to goal. Going back even further, the Woods have only registered 33 or more shots in 35 of the 317 games since the start of 2006 (11 percent).

Blackwood entered the match making four changes to the line-up welcoming back Patrick Hillard from Central Districts, Jaxin Faehrmann, Mark Reynolds while also handing young gun Callum Finlayson his A Grade Men’s debut after impressive form across the opening 12 matches.

Kicking up the slope against the breeze in the first term, Jan Warbout got the Woods on the board early with the first major. Contested a long entry, he followed up crumbing the contest and snapped the ball off his right boot much the delight of the large crowd in attendance. The Raiders began to work their way into the match kicking the next three goals with the aid of the breeze. Moving the ball with speed down the outer wing, Cameron Armiento was able to roost the ball from 50 metres straight over the goal umpire’s head. When Jack Sandercock and Adam Houlahan kicked the next two in quick succession, the Raiders were looking dangerous. Late goals to Sam Zevenboom and Faehrmann saw the Woods pull the margin back to even at the quarter time siren.

Speedy Raiders forward Daniel Gonzales kicked the first goal of the second term for the Raiders. Taking a long-range set shot, he was able to steer it through much to the delight of his teammates. Both sides then started going goal for goal with Faehrmann booting his second set shot of the match which was immediately replied with a goal to Raiders captain Jackson Hooper. A late running left foot snap to Ryan Dijksman saw him draw the Woods to within three points ahead of the major break.

With a vocal home crowd, Blackwood looked to lift in the premiership quarter and break their run of losses. In near perfect conditions after half time, they recorded multiple inside forward 50 entries and shots on goal. The side was only able to register behinds until Nathan Laity converted a set shot from 35 metres out on an angle. Mat Tee then popped out pouncing on an errant kick in to kick the eight goal of the match for the home side. The Raiders changed the momentum of the game kicking three quick goals from Sandercock, Gonzales and Hooper. A late set shot to Troy Hocking for the Woods saw the Woods take back the lead at the three-quarter time siren.

Urged on by coach Scott Prebble, the Woods started the final term full of belief. Taking the game on with attacking ball movement, the side was able to lock the ball inside their forward half for much of the term. Jan Warbout was able to kick his second major courtesy of a holding the man free in the goal square to push the margin out for the Woods. Inaccurate kicking kept the Raiders in the match with Blackwood unable to land the killer blow despite having multiple shots on goal. Alex Bryars was able to give the Raiders some belief in the middle part of the term kicking a goal on the run from 48 metres out. Small forward Tee was able to boot his second of the match deep in the term to seal the victory of the Woods running out 19-point winners at the final siren.

Young ruck Sam Zevenboom earnt the praise of the coaching staff after the match for his tireless work being named best player whilst Matt Waldron, Ben Adams, Eduard Van Den Berg and Mat Tee also featured in the better players.

Final Scoreboard

Blackwood 3.1 6.9 9.14 11.22 (88)

Bridgewater-Callington 3.1 6.6 9.9 10.9 (69)

Goals: Jaxin Faehrman 2, Mat Tee 2, Jan Warbout 2, Ryan Dijksman 1, Troy Hocking 1, Nathan Laity 1, Eduard Van den berg 1, Sam Zevenboom 1

Best: Sam Zevenboom, Matt Waldron, Ben Adams, Eduard Van den berg, Mat Tee

Other results

B Grade: Blackwood 16.18 (114) defeated Bridgewater-Callington 1.3 (9)

C Grade : Blackwood 7.6 (48) defeated by Nairne Bremer 12.12 (84)

SC: Blackwood 15.16 (106) defeated IronRaiders 4.1 (25)

17.5G: Blackwood 4.1 (25) defeated Henley 2.7 (19)

17G: Blackwood defeated Murray Lands (on forfeit)

JC: Blackwood 8.6 (54) defeated IronRaiders 5.1 (31)

15B: Blackwood 5.9 (39) defeated by Marion 13.7 (85)

15G: Blackwood 6.5 (41) defeated Golden Grove 3.4 (22)

MC: Blackwood 16.13 (109) defeated IronRaiders 0.0 (0)

14G: Blackwood 1.4 (10) defeated by Mt Barker 2.9 (21)

13B: Blackwood 13.11 (89) defeated Colonel Light Gardens 3.1 (19)

13G: Result not available at time of publication

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