Redlegs U16s close the gap

A much-improved Norwood U16s side fell agonisingly short of an upset come from behind win against Central District in Elizabeth on Saturday. 

The Redlegs were 29 points behind at the half way mark of the final term, before kicking the last three goals to get within 11 points of the third placed Bulldogs.

Like the U18s, Norwood started slowly, allowing Centrals to kick seven of the first nine goals before snapping into gear.

Norwood trailed by 31 points at half time (the same margin as the U18s), but held the Bulldogs to three goals in the second half.

Norwood kicked five after half time, including the last three of the game through Harvey Pearce, Mackenzie Bishop and Thomas Neal but unfortunately ran out of time to do any more damage.

The 10.5-65 to 8.6-54 score line was a huge improvement from the 19.12-126 to 5.9-39 mauling at the hands of the Bulldogs at Norwood Oval in Round 8.

Walkerville’s James Annese has been outstanding in his return to the side from knee and shoulder injuries, having his fourth consecutive game 20+ disposal game. Against the Bulldogs he had 26 touches and three clearances.

Neal had 20 disposals and kicked a goal, while Pearce had 18 disposals, two goals and seven tackles.

Thomas Gribben enjoyed the tough conditions with 11 tackles, 17 disposals and four clearances.

Norwood takes on the fifth placed Glenelg at Norwood Oval this Saturday, another side the Redlegs will be hoping to improve against with 56 and 25 point losses coming against the Tigers earlier in the season.

Norwood 1.2, 2.2, 4.6, 8.6 – 54

Central District 3.1, 7.3, 8.3, 10.5 – 65

Goals: Pearce 3, Bielak, Bishop, Gaunt, Ivins, Neal, Smith

Best: Gribben, S. Bartel, Altamura, Pearce, Ivins

Norwood’s U18s couldn’t reel in a fast-starting Central District at X Convenience Oval in Elizabeth on Saturday, with the Bulldogs running away with a 33-point win.

Zade Hearfield kicked the first goal for the Redlegs, before they were jumped by a Centrals side that kicked eight of the first 11 goals.

It was a disappointing first half for the Redlegs, who were keen to overcome a comprehensive 56-point loss to the Bulldogs in Round 9, but Norwood was staring down the barrel of a 30-point margin at half time.

From there, the visitors held the second placed Bulldogs to four goals, and kicked four of their own to ensure the margin didn’t blow out.

In fact, the Redlegs sent a scare through the Centrals camp, kicking the first two goals of the final term through Fergus Myall and Harper Bromson to get the margin back to 20 points with almost 20 minutes on the clock.

An enthralling encounter unfolded as the game went scoreless for the next 10 minutes, as Norwood kept pushing and the Bulldogs held them at bay.

Finally, Centrals forward Cameron Nairn put a stop to Norwood’s comeback mission with two goals in just over a minute to ensure the home side secured a 12.8-80 to 7.5-47 win.

Myall kicked two goals for Norwood, while singles went to Harry Brock, Bromson, Hearfield, Jake Hill and Darcy Speyer.

Noah Daw was best on ground with 22 disposals and six marks, while Jim Kelly had another good game with 21 disposals and seven tackles.

J. Hill had 20 disposals and a goal, and Jeff Rozenbilds 19 disposals.

Norwood hosts Glenelg this Saturday, before away trips against South Adelaide and Sturt to finish off the season.

Norwood 2.1, 3.4, 5.5, 7.5 – 47

Central District 4.3, 8.4, 10.6, 12.8 – 80

Best: Daw, Kelly, Speyer, Bowden, Brock

Goals: Myall 2, Brock, Bromson, Hearfield, J. Hill, Speyer