The Deniliquin Rovers claimed the silverware in the traditional Warner Tasker Cup clash with the Blighty Redeyes on Saturday.
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The twilight fixture added a different aspect to the warm April day at Deniliquin’s Memorial Park, with the match starting after 5pm.
Before the game, an official presentation to Rovers player Allan Bond took place.
Bond played 300 games and was made a PDFNL league life member last year, and was presented with his medal Saturday.
Blighty jumped out of the gates first with blistering pace, getting the ball down their forward half of the field.
The combination of Heath Moloney, Rusty Milward, Jack Charlton and Hugh Burton brought immediate pressure on the ball for Blighty in the midfield.
Under the setting sun from the Deni CBD side, the Rovers were unsettled, trying to parry the Redeyes attacks into their forward line and had difficulty transitioning the ball from the backline.
Jayden Pitts, with his intercept marking, helped steady the Rovers slightly.
Rivah Karpany then provided some early spark for the Rovers, taking half-a-dozen bounces, getting the ball up field early, connecting with Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson to hit the scoreboard with a goal for the Rovers.
The Rovers’ midfield then kicked into gear, fighting back getting forward-50 entries to Hayden Barker and Hudson-Lovegrove up forward with Barker showing plenty of composure kicking his first.
Harry Mcilwain provided a late target up forward for the Rovers, taking a good mark and kicking a set shot before quarter time against the run of play.
Rovers led 3.3 (21) to Blighty’s 1.2 (8), despite the Redeyes having a large amount of possession and pressure, making the Cup clash a close battle from the start, regardless of expectations.
The Redeyes continued this display into the second quarter, continuing to be aggressive around the contest.
The lights came on midway into the second quarter with the Rovers also trying to get going, getting plenty of the ball themselves but were inaccurate and rushed in front of goal, kicking one goal and five behinds for the quarter.
Meanwhile, Blighty capitalised on the inaccuracy barging their way through and over the Rovers setup from the Redeyes’ defensive end, winning the quarter kicking three goals and one behind themselves.
The Blighty goals included one from rotating midfielder Trae Atkinson who kicked two goals for the game and one each from Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe and Mason Coote.
With the half-time siren sounding, Blighty had plenty of belief going into the break as the margin only five points in the home side’s favour, with the Rovers 4.8 (32) to Blighty 4.3 (27).
With the sun now set, both teams were keen to show out in front of the fans under the Saturday night lights.
The Rovers started the third quarter well as they got some steadying goals.
However, from here, ineffective and wide entries forward and tough shots at goal led to inaccuracy proving costly on the scoreboard.
In contrast, Blighty got the game on their terms, getting good entries with their transition and hitting the effective leading forwards.
Brenton Tickle kicked two goals, while big-man Heath Moloney kicked one, as did Hugh Burton after a 50m penalty.
The Redeyes went into the final break with a four-point lead with great noise from their supporters, hoping for a Blighty boilover with the score at Rovers 6.12 (48) to Blighty 8.4 (52).
The physical and close encounter thrilled spectators.
The Rovers settled in the last quarter, coming out strongly from the outset.
Cameron Wills and Karpany were instrumental in getting the ball going the Rovers’ way.
James Gilligan and Adam Bodey also made a big impact from the midfield, making every impact a contest and added superb intercept marking behind the ball.
Rowan Frazer was clean in the backline, as Blighty’s lack of clean possession and inability to get the ball forward saw them succumb to the Rovers’ pressure.
When the ball got forward for the Rovers, Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson and Hayden Barker did the rest, kicking goals when it mattered the most.
Lovegrove-Hudson kicked four for the game, while Barker kicked three.
The Rovers midfielders and high half forwards also hit the scoreboard, with Karpany kicking two goals, Nick Hay and Cameron Wills kicking one each to see off the brilliant Blighty fight and allow the Rovers to grind out an important win.
For Blighty, the twilight game was a nice change and one the team had been looking forward to for a while.
Blighty came out ready to play with a hunger for the contest, led by Rusty Milward and Mason Coote in the midfield, who worked hard all day, Ari Glover in the forward line putting on pressure and Jordy Priestley down back.
After a hard fightback and forth contest, Deni Rovers only ran away with it in the last quarter from Blighty.
The Blighty side put in a great effort and will enjoy the upcoming bye before returning for round four against Berrigan.
In a cracking Warner Tasker Cup clash, the Rovers won by 38 points.
The Warner Tasker medal for the best on ground performance was presented by Warner’s son Jamie Tasker to the Blighty ruck Heath Moloney.
Final score: Deni Rovers 12.19 (91) def Blighty 8.5 (53).
Goals: Rovers - Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson (4), Hayden Barker (3), Rivah Karpany (2), Harry Mcilwain (2), Nick Hay, Cameron Wills.
Blighty - Brenton Tickle (2), Trae Atkinson (2), Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe, Mason Coote, Hugh Burton, Heath Moloney.
Best players: Rovers - Cameron Wills, James Gilligan, Rowan Frazer, Adam Bodey, Rivah Karpany, Jayden Pitts.
Blighty - Rusty Stringer, Dane Leyden, Jach Charlton, Hugh Burton.
Awards: Rovers - James Gilligan, Cameron Wills, Rowan Frazer, Rivah Karpany, Adam Bodey.
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