Under18 TAC Cup

DANDENONG Southern Stingrays suffered their fourth loss in a row when beaten by 32 points by Geelong Falcons at Werribee.
The centre of the ground was wet and the wind was strongly favouring one end and for the fifth straight game the Stingrays lost the toss and had to kick into it. The Stingrays started hesitantly and were two goals down in a matter of minutes but new forward Darren Sheen played with energy and poise, giving the Stingrays’ midfielders a genuine target. Late in the quarter the Falcons again got on top and led at quartertime by 24 points.
In the second quarter two goals by Sheen and jockeysized flanker Luke Potts capped off the good work of midfielders James Magner, Curtis Barker, Nick Williams and ruckman Brad Horaczko. Luke Clark was all over the Falcons’ gun full forward Adam Marsland and repeatedly rebounded the ball from the Stingrays’ back line. The halftime deficit was nine points.
In the third term the Stingrays were holding sway and at the 15minute mark of the term were well in the game. But fundamental skill errors, silly free kicks and undisciplined 50metre penalties allowed the Falcons five goals and they took a lead of 33 points into the last term. The Falcons then slid a couple of players behind the ball and slowed the game to a trickle and the final margin of 32 points was probably a true indication.
This weekend brings a general bye for the TAC Cup and the first round of trial games to select the Victoria Metropolitan team to play in the National Under18 Championships. The Stingrays are represented by Matt Robinson, Russell Gabriel, Luke Clark and Mitch Bosward in the TAC Cup and Jarrad Grant and Andrejs Everitt from the AllAustralian Under16 team.
Scores: Falcons 14.21.105 d Stingrays 11.7.73.
Goals: Darren Sheen, Lee Boyle 3, Luke Potts 2, Curtis Barker, Matt Robinson, James Magner 1.
Best: Nick Williams, Luke Clark, Brad Horaczko, James Magner, Curtis Barker, Darren Sheen.