Houston Summer Metro Round 2 – Red Warriors vs Blue Barn Burners
Sunday July 27, 6pm
Bendwood Park
With the scorching sun replacing the rain of the first week, round 2 of the summer metro promised a great contest. Fielder’s Blues were looking for revenge after feeling they were the better team in a tight week 1 loss. It was not going to be easy though, as Weikel’s Reds saw the prized Rix and Power lineup for their summer debuts. With some of the questions over Fielder’s selection policy abating during the week strong numbers of 20 for both teams readied themselves for 14 a side action.
With the Reds brimming with confidence and a powerful midfield the contest began as an arm wrestle. Despite the fast track neither midfield was able to find enough space to allow for clean delivery forward and the game bounced between backlines. With Art, Edge, Zac and Tobin holding strong down back for the Reds, their Blue counterparts in Sean, Pete, and Matty S were equally impressive as the Reds were ultimately unable to capitalize on what advantage in possession they had.
¼ Time
Red 0.2.2 Blue 1.2.8
The second quarter picked up right where the 1st ended, a ferocious contest in the midfield. With Rix getting first hand in the ruck for the Reds the Blues were playing tight with Perham again setting an impressive standard with his defensive pressure. With the Blues able to absorb the early pressure of the Reds led by Justin and Power the game opened up as the sun blazed away. As the quarter wore on the Blues began to find space and used the experience of DB, Chisi, Pete, and Josh M to provide clean ball to Ricko, Mueller and Matty L who presented well. The Blues capitalized on their good play to slam through 4 goals and take a 16 point lead into halftime.
½ Time
Red 2.4.16 Blue 5.2.32
With the questions around the Blues selection policy well and truly answered the attention turned to what Weikel could extract from his Reds. Would they wilt in the sun, or rise to the challenge? That question was emphatically answered as the quartet of Rix, Power, Blake, and Jesse dominated the clearances with Power particularly impressive with his work around the packs. Their work was rewarded with Jordan and Tom who had been well held in the first ½ threatening to break the game open as the Reds surged into the lead with 3 unanswered goals. It was only a late flash of brilliance from Pete (although Renee was not impressed) with a left footed snap from deep in the pocket that gave the Blues the edge heading into the last quarter.
¾ Time
Red 5.6.36 Blue 6.4.40
The final stanza began in spectacular fashion with Matty H winning the ruck to a surging Craig DG who slotted home a brilliant running goal to provide breathing room for the Blues. This was ultimately the killer blow for the Reds who had thrown everything at the Blues in the 3rd quarter. With the Blues seeming fresher around the midfield, and their defense led by Sean and Sam holding the Reds forward line in check the Blues would ultimately run away to a deserving 22 point victory.
Final
Red 6.6.42 Blue 10.4.64
Goals
Red: Tom D(1), Dan(1), Jordan(1), Ben P(1), Cameron(1), Blake(1)
Blue: Mueller(2), Craig (2), Matt H (2), Rick (2), Matt L(1), Peter C(1)
Best
Red: Power, Justin, Blake, Tobin, Zac
Blue: Pete, Perham, Chissi, DB, Matt H, Josh M, Craig DG (entire team!)
All in all round 2 provided another great contest with a strong showing from both teams in what was pretty extreme heat. We had strong individual matchups all over the field with Matty H battling Rix in the ruck all day a highlight. We had a great mix of experience out there, and the newer guys continued to impress with Josh Morgan making a notable first appearance. Fielder will take great pride in his Blues who were ultimately cleaner with their ball movement going forward. As for the Reds, they will unfortunately head into round 3 without Edgy who suffered a fractured fibula, which seems to explain why he was struggling to make the photo at the end of the game. With the series tied at 1-1, round 3 will be exciting with the pressure now placed squarely at the capable feet Weikel and his Reds.
Thanks again to all supporters who came out and to Renee who again did a great job of keeping the teams from passing out in the intense heat.
~Coach Nate
