The much vaunted top of the table clash at Clarke Oval last Saturday lived up to its promise as the Coota Blues stamped their authority on the Competition with a convincing but very hard fought 47 point win over the Murrumbateman Eagles.
The final scores of the match showed Cootamundra 11-10-76 defeating Murrumbateman 4-5-29. However the real story of the game was the blues barnstorming first quarter kicking 5 goals to nil to set up the win.
In front of the biggest home ground crowd for the year to date the Blues turned up to play and moved the ball quickly and with precision. Up forward Joel Pearson started well with two first quarter goals but was overshadowed by Doug Arthur who was sensational with three of his own.
On ballers James Warwick, Ben Rose and Jacob Tiernan were on fire early and gave the Blues forwards numerous opportunities inside 50 to hit the scoreboard.
The Eagles hit back to win the second term by a narrow margin lifting across the ground to make the match a Real contest.
The second half was a fairly even affair with the Blues back six well led by Kye Beaumhammer really coming into their own with strong defensive work and clean defensive clearances. Sean Reagan, Flynn Sierant and Angus Malmo dominated especially across half back and Beaumhammer at fullback took a number of towering defensive marks at crucial times in the match.
The Blues kept the visitors to 1 goal in the third and goalless in the last term whilst adding another 4 of their own denying the Eagles any chance of a comeback. A major contributing factor was the improved tackling across the board and the Blues pressure level over the four quarters.
Winger Darion O’Toole was a clear winner all day and provided plenty of outside run, great disposal by foot and even a couple of party tricks in another very impressive display.
Despite being double teamed for most of the match Joel Pearson added another 5 goals to his season tally in another outstanding and perhaps his best performance of the year.
Others to play important roles for the victors were Dan Conway at Centre Half Forward, Ruck combo of Luke Beaumhammer and Jake Rodwell and Ethan Birks with a very strong defensive performance down back.
The only negative for the Blues was a late injury to Angus Malmo who suffered rib damage courtesy to a knee in the back and he is likely to miss and extended period of football.
The win puts the Blues clear ladder leaders following ANU up setting the previously undefeated Southern Cats.
The Blues now head on a four match away streak with the Southern Cats next Saturday followed by games against Ainslie, the much improved ADFA Rams and fourth placed ANU in what will be a very tough and perhaps season defining run of matches. In fact with byes also included in this period the Blues will not be back at Clarke oval Until the 11th of July when they host the Woden Blues.
Goals Joel Pearson 5, Doug Arthur 3, Ben Rose 2 and Dan Conway 1.
Best players Shaun Regan, Doug Arthur, Joel Pearson, Jacob Tiernan, James Warwick, Darion O’Toole, Kia Beaumhammer, Angus Malmo, Ben Rose.
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