WA Gold topple experienced Black Swans

Gaelic Games - Perth 2006 - Day Two Review

Minors: WA Gold v WA Black Swans

Wet weather may have dampened day one of the Australasian Games, but day two began in fine conditions, with a local derby between the two Western Australian minors’ sides – the Black Swans and Western Australia Gold – kicking off proceedings.

While the Black Swans were made up of more experienced players, many of the Gold side were new to the round ball sport, having crossed over from Aussie Rules.

However, it was Gold who glistened in the end with a 3-8 (17) to 2-7 (13) win, although the Black Swans put their opponents under a great deal of pressure in the final quarter.

The Black Swans got off to a strong start in the second half with two quick goals by Andrew Henning bringing the scores to 2-3 (9) 3-3 (12), but were unable to convert their hard work at the end of the game into match-winning points.

Both teams were competitive all game, with each sharing an equal amount of territory and possession until the final stages of the match when the Black Swans stepped up the pressure.

However, hard work by the Gold backs and several crucial saves by Gold goalie Shaun Hurt kept the defending side ahead for the win.

For Western Australia Gold, Daniel Donnelly scored two goals while Mark Kelly scored the third.

Michael Pizzali also contributed well for the Gold team with several overs, while Joel Fieg was vital in the midfield as was Adrian Cagnana in the backline.

Women: Qld v Victoria

The Queensland women continued their winning streak when they accounted for Victoria in the second match of the day.

Queensland got off to a strong start with two quick goals from Kildare product Grainne Heduan, while Victoria did not score until 15 minutes into the game, with Kathryn Winterton producing the first of only two points scored by the Victorians for the match.

Trish Brown, a recent Australian representative in the women’s rugby world cup, showed flair in the midfield to trouble the Victorian defence, as did her offsider Ronni Browning.

The speed and ability of the Queenslanders to pick up loose balls kept the girls in red in safe territory for much of the game, although Victoria was able to break out on occasions.

However, when the Victorians made their breaks they weren’t able to deliver the goods in terms of points, although they began to show more promise towards the end of the first half as they put pressure on the goals.

Queensland led at the break 2-3 (9) to 0-2 (2), and were able to keep their opponents scoreless for the entire second half for a final score of 2-10 (16) to 0-2 (2).

Seniors: WA v Qld

Western Australia went on the attack early against Queensland, never looking back as the home side led all the way to a 1-21 (24) to 0-3 (3) win at the final whistle.

Colm McHugh opened the scoring for the home side with an over, his first of several points scored throughout the match, backed up by fellow forward Olan Murphy.

WA led by 0-10 (10) to nil at halftime, holding Queensland to only three overs for the rest of the match.

Queensland midfielder Cameron Carney again proved to be a key player for his side, scoring one of his side’s overs after an impressive break through the centres.

Pat Breen and Paul Kilrane were high scorers for the host side, producing three and four points respectively.

Michael O’Callaghan scored the only goal for the match, to give WA a winning margin of 23 points.

Women: WA v WA Black Swans

The second local derby of the day saw the defending champions show why they are on the money for a second consecutive title when they gave their hosting counterparts the Black Swans a sound beating.

The title-holders dominated for much of the match, although the Black Swans made some breaks and were able to convert some opportunities into points, with Josephine O’Callaghan and Anna Haynes both kicking overs.

Lydia Pagett and Emma Pender both scored two goals each for the other WA side, with Renae Campbell chipping in with a goal of her own as her side cruised to a 5-10 (25) to 0-3 (3) lead at half time.

Pagett also kicked six overs, while Angie Doyle and Shelley Matchem were also strong in attack with four overs apiece.

The second half saw greater defence in goals with only one scored for the half, from the boot of Kez Jones.

However, the title-holders were relentless in attack, coming home with a final score of 6-22 (40) to 0-5 (5).

Seniors: NSW v Victoria

In one of the closer and more unpredictable games of the championships so far, Victoria pulled off a win against the defending champions New South Wales in the final seniors match for the day.

In an even and low-scoring first half, New South Wales gained a slight edge to post a narrow 0-4 (4) to 0-2 (2) lead by half time.

No points were scored in the second half until 10 minutes in, when Victoria’s Joe Kelly punched in a goal to give his side a one-point lead.

New South Wales soon responded with an over to bring the scores level.

However, when the Victorians had a player sent off midway through the half, New South Wales were unable to capitalise on the advantage as the Victorians continued to pressure the goal area.

Mick Finn of Victoria was impressive with his dominance in the midfield, while Conor Evans and Martin McGearty performed well for New South Wales, with McGearty kicking three overs for the match and Barry Devine two.

Eoin Quinn also continued his good form, contributing a penalty goal to give his side a 2-2 (8) to 0-5 (5) lead.

The Victorians only conceded one more point in the match to take the win with a final score of 2-2 (8) 0-6 (6).

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