The Queensland Blaze have broken through for two excellent wins at the Australian Primary Schools Championships in Perth.
Thursday, 29 July, 2010
The Queensland Blaze have broken through for two excellent wins at the Australian Primary Schools Championships in Perth.
Coming off tough back-to-back losses to Victoria and WA in their first two games on Sunday and Monday, the Queenslanders comfortably accounted for NSW on Tuesday and NT on Wednesday.
Coach Darren Baldwin reports that the Blaze started brilliantly in game three against NSW at Fremantle Oval, kicking the first two goals of the match into the wind and were never seriously challenged on the scoreboard on their way to a 7-9 (51) to 4-2 (26) win.
Ben Presser was especially impressive across half forward as the key forward, and was well supported by small forwards Ryan Dadds and Matt Perejmidida.
By half time the Blaze had established a solid five-goal lead and maintained this lead throughout the second half.
The slick movement of the ball by hand and foot in the first half was stifled by a determined Blue Pups outfit in the second half.
The dash of players like Josh Williams and Nat Carswell was a feature of an exciting and well deserved win.
Presser became the team’s first multiple goal-kicker at the carnival with two, while Tom Fullarton, Ryan Dadds, William McDowell-White, Matt Perejmibida and Tom King booted singles.
Presser was also named Queensland’s best player from captain Hamish Warren, Dane Watmuff, Williams, Perejmibida and King.
The Blaze travelled 40 minutes north of Perth to Joondalup for game four against NT, and came away with a 11-8 (74) to 2-5 (17) win.
Coach Baldwin said his side played their best game for the week against a skilful group of Territorians.
Once again they came out firing early although they only led by a goal at quarter time.
The second quarter was a different story against the wind. A stunning individual goal by Jack Bowes after streaming out of the centre set the Blaze on their way.
Queensland lead by 30 points at half time and this time took full advantage of the wind in the third quarter after a sensational mark and goal by the 11-year-old Tom Fullarton, who ended up kicking three brilliant goals.
The NT boys kicked the last two goals of the game with the wind, but by that stage the Blaze were in complete control.
Said Baldwin: “It was a great four-quarter effort by all players. The discipline and strong tackling of the boys was a feature. A special mention must go to Josh Bain who played a key role in blanketing the NT ruckman who had dominated early games.”
Oscar Junker and Bowes kicked two goals apiece to support Fullarton’s outstanding three-goal contribution, while King, Declan Watson, Dane Watmuff and James Barnes kicked singles.
Bowes was named Queensland’s best player from Junker, Bain, Fullarton, Taylor Buddle, King, Watson and Barnes.
The Queenslanders will play South Australia in game five on Thursday.
