Cobras’ strike second

CORA Lynn held on to second spot with a hard-fought 16-point victory over a resilient Poowong on Saturday.
The Cobras surged clear in every quarter only for the Magpies to continually bounce back and frustrate the home side that was seeking a big percentage-boosting victory.
The game was in the balance until the 12-minute mark of the last quarter when Cora Lynn scored the first of four unanswered goals to turn a one-point lead at three-quarter time into a 27-point advantage.
This was before Poowong rallied once again with the last two goals of the game.
The first half featured a number of momentum swings.
Midway through the opening quarter, the Cobras set up a 19-point lead after goals by Luke Hughes, Shane Dwyer, John Nichols and Joe Allen before the Magpies hit back with five unanswered goals to establish a 12-point break at the six-minute mark of the second quarter.
Mid term the Cobras rammed on four successive goals, by Matt Davey, newcomer Chase Saunders, Luke Hughes and Brendan Kimber before the visitors hit back to reduce the margin to only a solitary point at half-time.
Cobra half-back Craig Taylor was outstanding in the first half, Jack and Joe Allen instigated plenty of important plays midfield, half-back Luke Hughes stifled many opposition advances and Brad Horazcko won many knockouts and was the most productive follower on the ground in the first half.
Poowong competitiveness was due to tremendous midfield work by Jared Attenborough, Ryan Fitzgerald and lanky forward Trevor Hooker, who moved far and wide and Mitch Cochrane, who bobbed up with some handy disposals across the forward line.
Both sides scored four goals each in the third quarter and the home side went into the last break with a one-point lead.
The first ten minutes of the last quarter turned into an arm wrestle.
However, it was Cora Lynn that broke the deadlock and with unanswered goals by Jason Hall, Brendan Kimber and two by Kris Johnson, the home side surged clear and despite two late goals by the Magpies, held off the best the visitors could offer to recorded a 16-point win.
Cobra centre half-back Dan O’Hara proved to be a big barrier in defence and played his best game for the season while Craig Taylor and Tim Payne were never too far away from their opponents and made many of crucial interceptions.
The versatile Allen brothers, Jack and Joe, rotated between the forward line and through the midfield and both made a big impression all game.
Poowong centreman Jared Attenborough chased and won kicks all game, tall forward Trevor Hooker’s agility and vice-like hands posed plenty of problems for the Magpie defence and both Dave Miller’s offered plenty of resistance behind the centre line.
In and around the forward line Mitch Cochrane put in a workmanlike effort and likewise the ever-consistent and rugged assistant coach Matt Grant.