Wet weather clash of the tigers

by Rover

IN A show of skill and strength at the Foster Showgrounds on Saturday, the Foster Tigers recorded a solid 46-point wet-weather win against the Mirboo North Tigers. 

Foster has now won 11 of its 14 matches this season and sits in fourth spot on the Mid Gippsland ladder, two games and plenty of percentage points clear of Newborough and MDU.

In the absence of injured skipper, Hudson Kerr, and with raindrops falling on the visiting Tigers’ heads, Joe Brooks led Mirboo North into battle, where the celsius dropped to a low of six degrees, just before half-time.

Here was a day when free kicks were earned the hard way and easy possessions quickly became a scarce commodity.

Despite Foster booting 6.2 in the opening quarter, Mirboo North displayed plenty of mettle by finding innovative pathways into its forward line and kicking three goals without a miss. 

As the rain became heavier and more constant, Foster’s authority increased and helped it take a 27-point lead into the main break.

Stand-in full-forward, Mitch Richardson, was Mirboo North’s lone scorer during the second quarter, with a major off the deck from close range and a near miss via a set shot a bit further away from the big white sticks.

Also in the second term, several pinpoint 45-metre inboard passes from the Geoff McCraw Stand wing by Foster, launched productive forward 50 entries directly down the corridor. 

Unfortunately, Foster’s pressure forced Mirboo North into becoming the victim of its own choices, many of which involved wayward passes into opposition hands or no man’s land.

All afternoon, Foster had great contributors in Todd Bastion, Dylan Williams and Jonathan Segat, with Williams and Segat also recording a goal each for the locals.

Scoring slowed for Foster in the third quarter with two majors straight, whilst Mirboo North could only manage a single behind, as the rain kept tumbling down on the last Saturday in July.

Harry Mahoney, Beau Peters, Brooks and Dom Pinneri were Mirboo North’s best performers where their heavy lifting helped boost the team’s morale and lighten its load. 

Ethan Woodall and Patrick Lewis were other solid contributors, who displayed courage and perseverance for the mighty Mirboo North Tigers. 

The umpires wisely chose frequent ball-ups in preference to picking out free kicks inside ugly packs, created by players desperately trying to win the contested ball for their respective teams.

Although the Sherrin was slipperier than an eel, Foster’s well-drained oval remained firm, without a skerrick of mud anywhere on its surface.

The end of the match couldn’t come quickly enough for everyone, with Foster managing a goal in the last quarter and Beau Peters hitting the post for Mirboo North, just as the final siren sounded. 

This Saturday, Mirboo North hosts Hill End at Tigerland, before its round 17 bye on 10 August.