The Blackwood Football Club recorded its seventh win of the season defeating the Onkaparinga Valley Bulldogs by five points at Balhannah Oval in Round 14 of the Police Credit Union Hills Football League.

In a match that probably wasn’t the greatest spectacle to watch, the Woods jumped out to an early lead. Digging deep, the Bulldogs hit the lead in the final term before a long-range set shot from young gun Troy Hocking secured the victory for the Woods and kept the season alive.

Speaking post-match, coach Scott Prebble said that it was good the team found a way to win the match. “We didn’t play anywhere near our best football today but to the credit of you guys, you found a way to win today.”

“Often you can drop close games but to be able to scrap out a win despite them having all the momentum after half time is something we should look at as a positive.”

The Woods entered the match making four changes with vice-captain Nathan Dunn, Jonathan Grimes, Luke Lewis and Zac Venning returning to the squad for the match. For Lewis, it was a second time lucky making his A Grade debut after originally being named to match his debut in Round 7 against Hahndorf but was a late withdrawal.

The match started in a scrappy fashion with both sides unable to gain a clear advantage. With the defences repelling attacks for both teams, it took until the 16th minute for a 55-metre set shot conversion from Troy Hocking to raise the first goal on the match. Blackwood continued to push hard forward recording multiple shots on goal but only registering minor scores. With Billy Shanks gaining multiple touches for the home side, the Bulldogs were able to push the ball forward with speed to find Angus Small loose in the pocket. Snapping the ball across his body he was able to put it straight over the goal umpires head to the delight of team-mates.

Leading by 10 points at the first break, Blackwood controlled the match for long terms of the second quarter. Locking the ball in the front half for the opening part of the term, it took until an opportunist soccer from versatile tall Nathan Laity in the 8th minute to break the deadlock. Resting forward, ruckman Jan Warbout was able to take a strong intercepting contested mark 20 metres out from goal as Onkaparinga Valley attempted to switch the ball. When the half time siren sounded, the Woods lead by 21 points and had all the momentum.

Coming out firing after the main break, the Bulldogs kicked four third quarter goals to pull themselves back into the match. Lifting their pressure at the Woods ball carriers, they were able to turn the ball over on regular occasion and having multiple forward half entries. Mitchell Cocciolone was able to kick a left foot conversion on a contested pack to raise the second goal of the match for his side. Further goals to Small and Rhett Calnan gave the Bulldogs all the momentum. A second goal of the match to Laity saw the Woods return to the lead to eight points however a red-time goal to Angus Small saw the margin back at two points at the final break.

Infront of a small crowd, the game lifted in intensity in the final term as both sides looked to push for the victory. In the sixth minute, midfield bull Eduard Van Den Berg pushed the margin out to eight points for the Woods kicking a nice on the run goal. Rhett Calnan pulled the margin back capturing small defender River Moore holding the ball inside their forward 50. When Matthew Prowse converted a set shot from the Bulldogs hit the lead and looked as if they would run over the top of the Woods. Remaining calm, Blackwood continued to push the ball forward as they looked to regain the lead.

Star midfielder Ben Adams was able to win a free kick for holding the ball in the 17th minute on the forward flank. Playing on quickly he found Troy Hocking on the 50 metre arc in space. Going back and having a set shot, the ball never looked like missing as this team-mates got around him to celebrate. Shutting the game down, the Woods managed to hold on and record a five point victory at the final siren.

Final Scoreboard

Blackwood 2.6 4.7 5.9 7.13 (55)

Onkaparinga Valley 1.2 1.4 5.7 7.8 (50)

Goals: Troy Hocking 2, Nathan Laity 2, Eduard Van Den Berg 2, Jan Warbout 1

Best: Nathan Dunn, Ben Adams, Samuel Matters, Jan Warbout, Tyson Clark

Other results

A Grade Women: Blackwood 3.3 (21) defeated by Onkaparinga Valley 6.8 (44)

B Grade: Blackwood 8.11 (59) defeated Onkaparinga Valley 5.7 (37)

C Grade: Blackwood 13.6 (84) defeated Uraidla Districts 8.3 (51)

SC: Blackwood 15.15 (105) defeated Onkaparinga Valley 6.4 (40)

U17.5: Blackwood defeated Mitcham (On forfeit)

U17: Blackwood defeated Onkaparinga Valley by 2 points (Final scores not available)

JC: Blackwood 9.1 (55) defeated Onkaparinga Valley 5.5 (35)

U15B: Blackwood 2.2 (13) defeated by Hope Valley 29.15 (189)

U15G: Blackwood 2.8 (20) defeated Goodwood 2.2 (14)

MC: Blackwood 9.15 (71) defeated Onkaparinga Valley 1.0 (6)

U14G: Blackwood 1.4 (10) defeated by Mt Barker 2.9 (21)

U13B: Blackwood 3.1 (19) defeated by Fitzroy 9.15 (69)

U13G: Blackwood 4.1 (25) defeated by Morphettville Park 11.10 (76)

#honourthecolours