Gisborne wins way to under-18s grand final clash with Sandhurst
GISBORNE won its way to the SportsPower under-18s football grand final when it won Saturday’s clash with Golden Square to kick off the Bendigo Bank Football Netball League’s preliminary final day.
In the all-Bulldogs match at Queen Elizabeth Oval it was Gisborne which won every quarter on its way to a 69-38 victory.
On the rebound from a second semi-final loss to Sandhurst the previous Saturday, Gisborne led 15-6 at quarter-time and then added 2.3 to a goal in the second.
An attack led by Sam Wilson, Shane Clough and Harry Luxmoore capitalised on the work of the on-ballers and midfield.
Gisborne went on to kick 6.3 to 4.2 in the second half to mark a 31-point win.
Wilson’s hot form rolled on as he kicked four goals and Clough and Luxmoore kicked two goals apiece for the red, white and blue.
Other goalkickers for Gisborne were Kne Minns and Zach Paterson.
The Golden Square attack was led by Hugh Freckleton with four goals and Bailey Cain on two.
Best for Gisborne were James Gentles, Cameron Freake, James Fox, Matthew Barake, Shane Clough and Sam Wilson.
Golden Square’s best were Hugh Freckleton, Macey Eaton, Bailey Cain, Aidan Corr, Will Hamilton and Rhys Lourie.
These teams had met on day one of the finals when Gisborne fought for a 64-60 victory in the qualifying final.
The blue and gold stayed in the premiership race by winning the first semi against Strathfieldsaye by 24 points.
A 17-1 run by Sandhurst to finish on top of the ladder was followed by a 24-point win against Gisborne in the second semi.
The Dragons beat the Bulldogs by margins of 38 and 25 points in the first and 10th rounds.
This Saturday’s under-18s grand final kicks off at 9.15am.
Written by Nathan Dole.
