RAMBLERS held off a fast finishing Cummins Kapinnie at Kapinnie on Saturday to win by 21 points.
A magnificent sunny and calm day greeted players and spectators and after the oval being under water two weeks ago it had recovered beautifully and was in great condition.
It was a must win game for both teams and the scene was set for a beauty.
Umpires Howell and Glover were in charge, and right from the first bounce the Magpies were on song. The Cougar defence was under pressure for the entire first quarter and if not for the efforts of the courageous Luke Cunningham, the quarter time score could have been much worse than it was.
While the Cougar ruckmen were matching the talented Minhard at the centre bounces, the Rambler in and under brigade, affectionately known as the "Mosquito Fleet", smashed their opponents and continued to force the ball forward.
Shawn and Corey Fitzgerald had a lot of the ball early, and the senior pro Simon Pedler picked off anything that went toward the Cougar forward line.
With the scoreline of 4-1 to 0-0 at quarter time and an injury to star forward Hazelgrove, Cougars were in real trouble.
AJ Crettenden was proving to be a problem at full forward and the Cougars had to stem the supply of ball to him if they had a chance of getting back into the game. Luke Fitzgerald was a beneficiary as he was often front and square of Crettenden and benefitted with a couple of goals himself.
The second quarter was much the same as the first, with Corey Fitzgerald dominating the midfield and his long raking left foot gave his forwards every opportunity to score.
It was a relief at the six-minute mark when Cougar sharpshooter Sam Meyers booted a goal from a mark for their first score of the game.
Ramblers continued with their attacking football that saw Holman goal from a brilliant individual effort in the forward pocket, which saw an immediate reply to Cougars' first.
Cougars were able to force the ball forward again to score three more goals for the quarter and at half time Ramblers had a handy lead, 10-4 to 4-1.
Cougars, well behind at the long break, finally got their act together in the third quarter with goals coming but they could not stop Corey Fitzgerald in the middle, who continued to supply his forwards with his long kicks.
With five goals each in the third, and Hazelgrove proving to be a real problem at full forward even with a leg injury, the signs were there that maybe the older Rambler team was running out of puff.
Cougars started the last quarter full of run and in the first 10 minutes had worked their way back into the game with four goals to be within three straight kicks of an unlikely win. Corey Turnbull was instrumental and got into the game with two goals within a minute.
Ramblers then steadied with a snap from Deslandes against the run of play and when Shawn Fitzgerald got a free kick directly in front and goaled to put the game out of reach.
Brad Hazelgrove goaled again at the 24-minute mark but time was against the Cougars and Ramblers ran out 21 point winners.
Spider Minhard played a brilliant game a kick behind the play and took many marks to stop many of the Cougars forward forays.
Matt Forster, until injured in a clash with young team-mate Tom Haarsma, played a tight game in defence, and it was noticeable that once he left the ground early in the third quarter the Cougar avenue to goal was a lot easier.
It looked as if Corey Fitzgerald had taken his own footy to Kapinnie with an outstanding game of footy through the centre.
AJ Crettenden with six goals was a real focus point for Ramblers and the small men around him benefitted from that all day.
For Cougars, Luke Cunningham was the standout and battled hard all day. Hazelgrove with five goals was hurt early but still a useful contributor, and Corey Turnbull worked his way into the game well after half time.
It was a brilliant game of footy and once again proves football is alive and well in Great Flinders with another exciting game.
Times Scribe votes: Corey Fitzgerald 3, James Minhard 2, both of Ramblers, and Luke Cunningham 1, Cougars.
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