Submitted by Bad Boy.
Saturday was the first Bay Day we have had at MacDonald Park in two years as both our Prems and Reserves recorded well-deserved wins over Westshore. The Reserve game started in showery conditions but before the final whistle for the Prems game sounded, the proverbial ‘cats and dogs’ rainfall had turned into an all-out deluge. As expected, supporters from both clubs were few and far between, with most huddled under canopies; in return for this discomfort they were treated to exciting games from start to finish and their enthusiasm for the action was loudly expressed…emotions between these teams is always fulsome.
In the earlier game, sloppy conditions prevented either team from scoring as both refused shots at goal, preferring to go for line-outs on penalties, an unsuccessful strategy for both. Finally, at the 25 minute mark, Craig Mitchell-Hermann changed plans and slotted a penalty from in close to give the home team a 3-0 lead. Following the restart a chip kick from Isaac Gonevou lead to a scrum won by JBAA and the ensuing Isaac-to brother-Joeli pass allowed Kai Khan to burst between tacklers and score between the posts. With the convert it appeared that the Bays would take a 10-0 lead into the break, but a well-developed back line movement saw Westshore score a converted try just before the half ended. 10-7 at the break.
Big Peter Masimo came in for JBAA at the half and immediately made his presence felt, gleefully bowling over opponents like a playground bully….a pleasure to behold! Buoyed by his presence, the Bays pressed the defence until a Velox infraction allowed Double Name to notch his second penalty. With the home team up 13-7 Westshore’s jumbo-sized #5 broke through the middle to score between the sticks and with the convert give Westshore their first lead…14-13. With the rain now pouring and time winding down, the band of spectators is treated to a line break by Double Name, a pass to Ethan Woods and a barging tally by Toby Ng. Double converts to nail a 20-14 win…the first pillar of a Bay Day now complete.
By the time the second game started on the same lower field, it had become a mud bowl with uncertain footing and awkward handling. An unpromising start for the home fans saw Westshore score a try just two minutes into the game and with a penalty they moved into an 8-0 lead with only 10 minutes gone. An impressive kick and chase by Wyatt Pilz then allowed Callum Botchar to pounce on the loose ball to give JBAA their first 5 points. Before the half closes a huge scrum by JBAA resulted in speedy D’Shawn Bowen getting his hands on the ball and churning his way in for a tally to let the home team go to the break leading 10-8.
Early in the second half Crosby Stewart was binned for a ‘deliberate knock-on’…tough call in the wind and rain. The outmanned Bays’ defence remained resolute until the last moments of the sin bin when another try gave the visitors a 13-10 advantage. A successful penalty kick gave the Langford squad a 16-10 advantage with 17 minutes to go. From here on, the home squad, their white jerseys now a muddy brown, controlled the game with a ferocity and determination not seen for some time. The inevitable go-ahead try came once again from Callum Botchar after a sustained forward attack lasting a full six minutes. Burton ices the convert to make it 17-16 and his penalty moments later coffin-nails the 20-16 victory.
The carnival-like celebration in the clubhouse featured obnoxious music, shirts off and general jubilance prior to Rookie Night at the club.Life is good.