Eastern Eyre Football
A Grade
PORTS v CLEVE…After a competitive first half, Cleve finished all over Ports to record an emphatic 112 point victory at Arno Bay in A Grade football at the weekend.
With only several minor rounds to go, the Bombers showed why they will be a force in the finals series as the Magpies search for their elusive first win of the season.
Umpires Churchett and Harris got the game underway with both teams lining up at near full strength with Ports missing their young ruckman, Aseri Raikiwasa.
Cleve’s Tyson Jenner looked lively and his pass to Dylan Jenner brought up full points and soon after Jenner kicked his second. Veteran defender Wade Ramsey had his hands full but the Bombers continued to attack as Jenner booted his third at the 8 minute mark as Cleve looked to take full advantage of the wind.
Ports settled a little better from here with some promising attacking play and Blake Chambers’ pin point pass found Adam Miller for a major before Tyson Jenner again set up another Cleve goal, this one from Tyson Kirvan, marking in the goalsquare.
Cleve missed several shots on goal before Ash Masters spotted Levi Bell unattended to bring up the Magpies’ second goal. A late goal to Kym Leonard extended the Bomber lead at quarter time, 5.7 to 2.1.
Ports hopes were lifted as they started the second term with some run and purpose and a goal to Bell. Dion Whittle was his usual self, uncompromising in defence and Brett Bray, Ryan Helling and Chambers were busy players. Cleve ran the ball forward for the dangerous Dylan Jenner to kick a further two goals. Jess Kenny was creative at centre and Matt Quinn was getting his hands on the ball around the ground. Nathan Gillings was proving a handful and he added another Bomber goal, reading the ball off the pack.
A string of points to Cleve resembled the first term and soon after Ash Masters’ long run and straight kick produced Ports’ fourth goal but at half time the Magpies trailed 4.3 to 8.13.
Ports held Cleve at bay after the resumption until Jess Kenny broke away to kick full points and Kerrin Gillings found Matt Quinn for their 10th goal and the signs were ominous for the home team. Ports’ lack of fitness has dogged their performance all year and it appeared again that Cleve’s superior run and teamwork would be the difference.
Quinn was having a good match as he booted his second goal and soon after passed to Donohue for yet another. Ports were chasing jumpers as the Bombers put their foot down and two goals from Kenny and a late goal to Quinn were showing the spectators how as Cleve ran away from the game. As Ports tired, their disposal errors increased and found it difficult to penetrate past half forward.
Leading 15.17 to 4.3 at the last change and with little or no wind to contend with, it was a question of how far for Cleve. After ten minutes of even play up and down the ground, Bell, who had tried hard all day, passed to Tom Davey for Ports fifth goal but it was to be the Magpies last. Hayden Donohue added three goals during the last term and Quinn, Rick Leonard and Matt Saunders all kicked one each in a solid team effort for Cleve to win 21.21 to 5.5, with 42 scoring shots to 10 aptly illustrating the gulf between the two teams on the day.
Jess Kenny, Kane Schubert, Matt Quinn, Rick Leonard, Tyson Kirvan and Dylan Jenner, for his five goals, were all good contributors but there were many others. With Kimba Districts hit by injury at the business end of the season, a Cleve-Cowell battle in September seems likely.
Ryan Helling, Brett Bray, Levi Bell, Ash Masters, Blake Chambers and Jarryn Preiss all battled hard for the Magpies.
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