By Peter Wilkie

 

Bungaree v Daylesford
at Bungaree Saturday, 7/7/2007

 

Reserves Bungaree 11.16 def Daylesford 5.3

 

 

INJURIES: nil                             REPORTS: -Nil

 

Daylesford tightened its grip on the top of the 2007 Bendigo Bank Central Highlands Football League ladder with a clinical victory over finals aspirant Bungaree.

 

Dismissing any genuine chance of a possible upset, the Bulldogs started confidently and built an early lead in the wet before easing away to win 14.5 to 5.5.

 

Persistent rain settled over the Bungaree ground just before the first bounce, but the huddled fans were treated to high quality football, as the Bulldogs soaked up plucky Bungaree’s pressure.

 

At half time only one behind had been registered as Daylesford bolted to a 6 goal lead courtesy of deadly accuracy by Clayton Scoble, Michael Davis, Kane Trimble, and others. Ruckman Scott Winduss joined the party with two booming goals for the half.

 

Stalwart Nathan Wemyss again led the way for the Demons, stifling in defence and creative when forward, and when big Bryce Nicholson booted his third just seconds into the third quarter there was a vague sniff of a comeback.

 

The rain was reducing the contest to a struggle and the league leaders had some uncomfortable moments, as Bungaree were getting plenty of the ball through gutsy Ricky Cummins and Ryan Knowles, among others.

 

The Bulldogs were far more efficient however, and top liners Luke Adams, Cade O’Brien and Trent Nesbitt lifted their work rate as Daylesford quickly regained the momentum.

 

The final term descended into a real arm wrestle in the slosh, and again Bungaree were able to expose some flaws in the Bulldogs set up in such conditions, finishing the game with a flurry of scoring shots, although the points had already been lost.

 

When the Courier spoke to Daylesford Coach Phil Davis after the game, he revealed that the club was less than satisfied with its performance in beating Waubra the week before.

 

“Last week we had a few very good players, and some very bad ones. Everyone had decided that they weren’t going to play badly two weeks in a row,” said Davis.

 

Unfortunately for Bungaree that meant “we had more contributors this week, and we were able to gain an edge early,” stated Davis.

 

The coach is under no illusions of the tasks ahead for his unbeaten team.

 

“These games are virtual semi finals for them (Bungaree and next week’s opponent, Learmonth), because a loss means risking dropping out of contention,” Davis said.

 

Bungaree meanwhile will look to rebound with an away match at Clunes.

 

BEST PLAYERS: 

BUNGAREE – N. Wemyss, R. Cummins, R. Knowles, M. Sullivan, E. Johnstone, B. Tudball.

DAYLESFORD – C. Scoble, L. Adams, J. Savige, M. Cummings, S. Winduss, T. Nesbitt.

BUNGAREE – B. Nicholson 3, J. Reid, M. McDonald 1.

DAYLESFORD –C. Scoble 4, S. Winduss, M. Cummings, J. Pring 2, M. Davis, K. Trimble, C. O’Brien, B. Broadway 1.