LAST Sunday saw Railways play their first game of the season taking on cross town rivals Federals who recorded strong wins against Beverley the week before.
The Ressy boys were keen to help club stalwart Gavin “Boondy” Winmar celebrate his 200th game, and lead by Junior, Richo and Lobby started well going goal for goal with Feds for the first quarter. But the Bombers kicked away in the second to lead by four goals at the half. A two-goal to one third quarter saw the Railways take a 29-point lead into the last quarter. Feddies finished the quarter with some late goals going down by 16 points. Ash Parker, Dean Winsor, Mick Roser and Glen de Blecourt were solid all day in defence and Jermaine Davis Jnr and Tristan Jones kicked three and two respectively up forward. Dan Negus was BOG in the midfield alongside Declan Bell playing well in the ruck. Junior players Bailey O’Driscoll, Dustan Skews and Dylan Curtis made their debuts for the Bombers and proved they can match it with the seniors.
The Fast Tart netball girls had a convincing win over the Fillies 75-36. Coordinator Hayley Moore said it was just an awesome team effort from the whole Fast Tarts team, great to see the return of Tyler Mahoney and Madison Hunter and a warm welcome the young Tenaya Ewings and Meg Thompson. MVP went to Maddison Hunter; Team Tart – Meg Thompson; and Opponents Choice was Katie Leeder.
After a half-hour delay due to lightening the League game finally got under way with Railways having most of the play but wasting the ball, kicking 2 goals to 1 through Tyrone Garlett and Cam Hunter. Skipper Nathan de Blecourt lead the Bomber defence with Holmes, McInnes and Heitia. The second term was a complete reversal with Federals wasting opportunities kicking 4-6 to 3-2, Luke Tanner kicking a 60m bomb on the siren to give Feddies a two-point lead at the half. Railways came out fighting in the third kicking 4-5 to 2-1 with young guns Jordan Kickett kicking two goals and Jared “Emu” Wynne providing plenty of entries inside 50. Slater and Tanner kicked one each for Feds and trailed by 14 at the last change. The last quarter saw Railways completely dominate with goals to Grafton, Garlett, Caccetta, Hunter and Ryan. Wynne capped off a good day running the ball from the wing, receiving it back inside 50 to kick goal of the day from 40m. Railways recorded a healthy 43-point win. Railways best: de Blecourt, Heitia, Holmes, Garlett and Morris. Feds best: Lachie Dunkerton who shut down dangerous forward Dan Arangio. Ali and Glenn Smith were solid all day, along with Lyon and Dellar. Awards (sponsored by Avon Valley Hospitality) – League: 1st Nathan de Blecourt; 2nd Mitch Heitia; 3rd Tyrone Garlett; 4th James Morris. Reserves: 1st Daniel Negus; 2nd Ash Parker; 3rd Jermaine Davis; 4th Michael Roser.