Hay Lions undefeated, winning streak continues

By Hay Lions Football and Netball Club

The local AFL competition top of the table clash did not disappoint when Hay met Ultima on Saturday.

For Hay Lions, a win would mean moving two games clear at the top of the ladder, as only percentages separated the two sides.

Hay, with no imports available, relied on a local contingency to take it up to Ultima. Ultima had a few out with injury, and took the opportunity to blood some younger players to face the senior Lions for the first time.

The start of the game was a frenzy as both teams applied pressure on ball carriers and the flow of the game difficult to establish.

Gaining first use of the wind, Ultima were quick to move inside their 50 zone from centre clearances but defensive pressure on the ball carriers swung possession back to the Lions.

Full photo gallery below

A first shot at goal to Jim Houston after taking a sublime contested mark thirty out, gave the Lions the early lead.

The rest of the quarter was a classic arm wrestle. Both teams tried to infiltrate their 50 zones only to meet resistance from tight backline defence with small windows of scoring possibilities snapped shut through repeated stoppages.

Going goal for goal, Ultima found their way onto the scoreboard, with Hay’s only other goal scored by Liam Whitbourne. He swooped on a loose ground ball out the back of a clearance, nailing a perfect on the run snap.

Scores were tied at quarter time with neither team able to break loose and stamp their authority over the other.

Quarter time - Hay 2:3, 15 Ultima 2:3, 15

Hay had the use of the breeze in the second quarter, and the Lions started to break the shackles, winning more clearances, and hitting up the forwards with precision delivery. This was the quarter where the Lions could have broken away, with more inside 50 entries and goal opportunities but with a conversion rate of 2:5 they fell short. While missing some targets, there were still touches of pure class; Dean Aylett gathered the ball on the run and nailed a check side snap that lit up the scoreboard. In reward for strong contested marking, Paddy Jubb kicked truly to add the second goal to the Lions total. While the Lions restricted Ultima to scant inside 50 entries, they still added another two majors to stay within touch of a tight scoreboard with only five points separating both teams at the major break.

For the Lions Jim Houston was a huge presence around the ground. Mobile, agile and the best set of hands as a tall target. Swinging between ruck and the forwards, he was a constant handful for the Ultima defenders.

As a much-needed target, Jubb continued his scintillating form for the season, marking the hard ball in hotly contested situations, and drawing defenders in packs.

In his first senior game of the season, Nathan Wilson, read the match like a book, talking multiple intercepts as the ball came into the Ultima 50, stopping their momentum in its tracks. Displaying footy smarts and calm under pressure, there is no comparison to the benefits of a wise head when under siege.

Despite a heavy constant tag from all directions, Jack Cattanach made a large imprint on the game with his own defensive pressure shutting down the Ultima attack and clearance out of the most extraordinary tight situations igniting forward surges into the Lions scoring zone.

Half-time Lions 4:8 32 Ultima 4:3 27

In the third Ultima made it hard for the Lions to employ their short kicking game, making it a challenge to pick holes through their strong defence. The Lions’ defence was rock solid with their shutdown tactics, intercept marking and one percenters constantly snuffing out any Ultima attack. As the stalemate continued and the stakes rose higher, the moment presented and was taken by Hay. When others sprayed wide of the big sticks when the pressure was on, Angus Gardiner grabbed his chance, kicking two identical set shots in a row, 40 out, straight through the middle to give the Lions their biggest lead of the match. Elation and celebration followed as Hay moved out to the biggest lead of the game, of 16 points.

Ultima responded to kick the next goal, but the Lions went into the final break full of energy and up for a fight in the last.

Third quarter Lions 7: 11, 53 Ultima 6:6, 42

Goals were again hard to come by in the final quarter. Both teams slogged it out in one last momentous effort as Ultima threw everything at the Lions, desperate to steal the lead.

While Ultima started to clunk some marks inside their 50, they didn’t capitalise, kicking short to be intercepted in front of the goal line. Chances went begging as Hay posted two classy goals to the young guns Jensen Hargreaves and Jim Houston. The Lions rode the storm out to remain in front at the final siren, winning by 10 points.

Final score: Hay Lions 9:13, 67 Ultima 8:9, 57

Brad Pocock was his usual rock solid in defence and heavily involved in transitional attack, directing his soldiers as a true leader does, from the front and by example.

Daniel Stewart was cool headed, with his running game off half-back consistent and strategic in hitting up targets. He stuck tight-on his opponent when needed, forcing them to work hard to find any space.

Jensen Hargreaves continues to impress more each game with his electric speed off the mark and elite ball usage pivotal and always a threat to the opposition.

The shutdown tackle pressure from Hugh Crighton in the centre with the skill and speed of Hargreaves and Jack Headon was a lethal combination providing plenty of drive from centre clearances straight into the Lions attacking zone the longer the game went on.

Coaches top six - Brad Pocock, Jim Houston, Paddy Jubb, Daniel Stewart, Jensen Hargreaves and Jack Headon.

Goals - Angus Gardner (2), Jim Houston (2), Jensen Hargreaves, Jock Crighton, Paddy Jubb, Dean Aylett and Liam Whitbourne.

Photo gallery images: Hay Lions and Ultima Kangaroos seniors and reserve grade. Images: The Riverine Grazier / Margie McClelland.