Sport
24 May, 2023
Cold weather roughs up Storms
The Jeparit-Rainbow players and supporters travelled to Kaniva, for the home team's first game on their home ground since joining the Horsham District Football Netball League. Since Jeparit-Rainbow was formed, in 1996, they have played at 25...
The Jeparit-Rainbow players and supporters travelled to Kaniva, for the home team's first game on their home ground since joining the Horsham District Football Netball League.
Since Jeparit-Rainbow was formed, in 1996, they have played at 25 different grounds in the Wimmera and Mallee.
Seniors:
The team was strengthened by the inclusion of Brad Stokes, Matt Synoradski, Matt Thomas and Justin Cozens as they took on mid-table Kaniva-Leeor.
A shower of rain just before the game meant a slippery surface as the game began.
Both teams struggled to control the ball after an early goal, and it took several more minutes before Dan Batson’s long shot at goal bounced through.
This was followed by a goal to Peter Weir, but poor decision making and some fumbles let Kaniva take a four point lead at quarter time.
In the second quarter, the Jeparit-Rainbow midfield started to get on top and, with better ball movement, they skipped out to a handy lead before two late goals by Kaniva cut the lead back to nine points at half time.
The third quarter saw Jeparit-Rainbow move up not one but two gears as they dominated their opposition with good ball movement.
This resulted in a seven goal to nil quarter and a 56 point lead at three quarter time.
The last quarter was slightly more even, but Jeparit-Rainbow increased their lead to 75 points at the final siren.
This win was built on a complete team effort. While the skill and football smarts of Nick Yarran, Tom Clarke and Brad Stokes were instrumental in the win, it was the efforts of a group of exciting younger players that also stood out.
Tom Schumann, Jakob Cocks, Xavier Oakley, Zac Pietzsch, Bailey Clark, Matt Thomas, Jordan Leach, Murphy Leach and Lewis Cocks are all growing in confidence each week as they provide enthusiasm and dash to the team.
Schumann has become a key part of the team’s defensive structure with his intercept marking and precise kicking.
Once again there was a spread of goalkickers with Peter Weir leading the way with five; fellow key forward Ash Clugston three.
The midfield provided most of the goals with Nick Yarran kicking four, while Tom Clarke and Will Hutchinson both kicked two.
Four other midfielders each kicked a goal.
Awards: WMW/Martion Rural - Nick Yarran, Warrack Electrical - Tom Clarke, BJ Hawker Contracting - Tom Schumann, Agri Lending Solutions - Ash Clugston, Sam Holland Baling - Brad Stokes
Reserves:
After last week's effort, the Reserves were never in the game and suffered a 17 goal loss.
Jake Parry in the midfield and Hayden Jamieson down back stood out as they won the ball many times.
Trey Patullo and Joad Fuller worked hard on the ball, while Zach Dorrington continues to improve each week in his first season of football.
Young Xavier Hiscock kicked the team's only goal.
Awards: WMW/ATR Mechanical - Jake Parry, Schulz Plumbing - Hayden Jamieson, Sam Holland Baling - Trey Patullo, Bow Bakery - Zach Dorrington, Coaches - Joad Fuller, Jaime Eckermann
U17’s:
Apart from the second quarter when they were outscored five goals to two, the boys matched their opposition, but still lost by 25 points.
There were some good efforts from the younger boys in the team, with Parker Gould, Lenny Weir, Zander Eckermann and Will Fisher having good games.
Cooper Stasinowsky did well in the ruck, while Jaime Eckermann again showed great leadership.
Weir and Marcel Badua were the leading goal kickers with two each.
Awards; WMW/Wella Home improvements - Parker Gould, Ismay's - Copper Stasinowsky, Ultimate Grain Cleaning - Jaime Eckermann, Warrack Electrical - Lenny Weir, Coaches' - Zander Eckermann
U14’s:
This game saw an even first half, with Jeparit-Rainbow's five behinds in the second quarter preventing them from leading at half time - instead they trailed by nine points.
Then the top-of-the-ladder opposition kicked away with Jeparit-Rainbow ultimately losing by 42 points.
Lenny Weir was again the best player and kicked the team’s only goal.
Fletcher Keller, Ryder Gould and Caleb Heinrich contribute every week.
This game, Baxter Stasinowsky and Evan Keller also played good games.
Coach Nathan Cocks was pleased with his team’s effort.
“The boys did better than the scoreboard suggested," he said,
"I was happy with their effort.”
Awards: Hayden’s Café - Lenny Weir, Clugston Butchers - Fletcher Keller, Bo Smith - Ryder Gould, SMS Rural - Baxter Stasinowsky, Coaches' - Evan Keller and Caleb Heinrich