Women's first grade
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Junee’s Leonard Cup team met Henwood Park at Wagga, going down 3-nil.
Co-coach Craig Duncan said the score no indication of the closeness of the contest.
Junee played some very good football and were unlucky not to have at least two goals with shots just going wide with the keeper beaten and one nice effort from Steph Puttock that rebounded off the cross bar.
The game was very fast paced with Park playing to their strengths, testing the Junee defence from the outset.
To their credit, Junee were able to match their opponents over the park and were able to defend strongly and also counter attack with purpose.
The game ebbed and flowed as each team tried to break the deadlock and only very strong defensive work kept both teams in the match.
At this level and with the high intensity of the game, a simple lapse gave Park the advantage and take a one goal lead.
Junee’s defensive players led by Chelsea McGregor matched the pace of the Henwood Park attack.
With the surface slick from the wet weather the ball was skidding on the surface and Park took the opportunity.
Laine Seary, Suzanne Waia and Teagan Foley, along with Megan Puttock played great games and were able to break up a lot of the Park’s attack with great timing and solid hits.
Junee was also able to mount some good attacking play and put together some very good passages of possession and passing that built up pressure.
It gave Junee some good opportunities of their own to get some shots off at goal over the course of the game.
Junee was just unlucky on the day and had some great chances to score but weren’t able to convert the opportunities as they were created.
Keely Hancock played some very attacking football that had the Park defence scrambling and was able to get on the end of some good work out of midfield and defence to put pressure on Henwood's defence and create some shots at goal.
Steph Puttock and Abby Duncan worked hard and again showed great strength and resilience in their work to keep the Park defence and mids on their toes and looking over their shoulders.
Ash Goode, Nic Baldry, Abby Foley and Morgan Goode proved strong on the ball and also had some great chances that went begging, coach Duncan said.
Billie Deacon in goals also played well and pulled off some brilliant saves that were breathtaking.
Parks second goal was somewhat of a fluke, but it still counted and their third came off a defensive lapse from a corner that saw three opponents unmarked at the back post and an easy header into the net, something that will need to be worked on at training.
It was a very good outing by the Junee team and if they can keep improving as they have been over the last few weeks, then with semi’s only a week away, they will be looking good to make it to their second successive grand final.
Best on the day in a complete team performance was Abby Duncan, Ash Goode, Billie Deacon and Suz Waia.
Men's first grade
JUNEE'S first grade men might have been beaten by Henwood Park 4-nil, but co-coach Isaac Cooper isn't hitting the panic button just yet.
"Henwood Park has had a look at two second-choice sides," he said.
While Cooper said a full-team would be fielded for the finals but injuries and absences continue to plague the team.
He said several young players were getting an opportunity to try out for the first grade side.
"It'll be a different sort of ball game when we play them in the finals," Cooper said.
Cooper highlighted performances by Jade Becroft on the backline and as sweeper and forward Martin Bushby from the Henwood Park game.
This weekend will be the final weekend where the top four players play each other in the split Pascoe Cup competition.
Jaguars will play Wagga United on Sunday and Cooper said he wanted to field a near full-strength side.
"We want to ensure everyone has a bit of game time under their belt."
IN A game of two halves, Junee Bobcat and Tipper under 12s claimed a 28-20 win.
The Diesels appeared to lack a little enthusiasm and turned the ball over eight times during the first half.
The Kangaroos took advantage and ran out to a 16-6 lead at half-time.
To the young Diesels credit, they lifted when they returned to the field and scored 18 to Kangaroos' four in the second half.
Try-scorers were Billy Sainsbury (2), Liam Moon (2) and Sebastian McDermott.
Sainsbury, Jamie Whiles and McDermott all successfully kicked goals.
Overall, it was a good performance from the boys, with the players needing to keep control of the ball for them to go further in the competition.
Luke Smith had a big game up front and we was well supported by Riley Makeham, Brock Hedlund, Rhys Diggins and Jake O'Rafferty.
The backs were well served by Hunter Crozier, Jamies Whiles and Jacob Humphries.
Isaiah Field put in a robust performances while Sebastian McDermott was dangerous with the ball and made several breaks for Junee.
Liam Moon lead from the front all game and was Junee's best.
While the game wasn't their best performance the under 12s refuse to lay down and this will hold them in good stead coming into the finals as they are capable of great football.
***
THE under 7s played extra time against the Wagga Kangaroos.
The game was close for three quarters with the 'Roos kicking away in the last quarter.
While the Diesels found it tough with several players out, the boys demonstrated how imporved their defence was.
Taj Sheedy took home an award for his defensive effort his week, while Josh Hackett claimed an award for his great solo try.
If the boys focus on running straight and tackling with their shoulders, there will be little to stop them in future.