LINCOLN City won the 42nd annual under 17 Kinlough Cup at the Lock Oval on Saturday, beating Whyalla in the final to take the title.
The best under 17 footballers from leagues all over Eyre Peninsula competed, seven sides in all, with Port Lincoln split into Lincoln Districts and Lincoln City.
The cup was officially opened by Kerran Glover from Lock.
With a long football history, including being captain of the EP under 17, Glover encouraged the players to make the most of their opportunities and continue to step up their level of football.
Tony Bamford from the Port Adelaide Magpies endorsed this, citing Tim Walsh and Casey Carr as players from the Kinlough Cup of only two years ago who have furthered their football careers dramatically, and Cody Colbung, who is now a regular in the Port under 19 team.
Game 1
Mid West 14.5 (89) d Far West 0-0 (0)
Mid West took the first centre clearance and had a goal on the board within 30 seconds, setting the scene for the whole match.
Making excellent use of the strong wind, they scored 9-2 to nil at the break; their leg speed was just too good for Far West.
Their superior skill continued against the wind as they added another five goals while holding their opposition scoreless.
Mid West’s best were Williams, Fitzgerald, D. Montgomerie and Payne, while triers for Far West were Braendler, Cooper, Denton and Miller.
Game 2
Whyalla 9-5 (59) d Eastern Eyre 1-4 (10)
Whyalla had come down to play and their strong defending, coupled with hard work against the breeze, saw them outscore Eastern Eyre this game.
Howard-Bristow, Webster and Flanegan all contributed to their clean movement from the centre and, aided by Norman and Everett, set themselves up with a good percentage win through a six goal second half, while allowing the opposition one solitary point.
Rodda, Clements, Jenner, Forrest and Raikawasa worked hard for Eastern Eyre, but with not enough backup from team-mates, they couldn’t do it on their own.
Game 3
Great Flinders 6-0 (36) d Lincoln Districts 4-7 (31).
In the closest and fastest of the first round matches, Lincoln Districts’ foot speed was up against Great Flinders’ persistence.
Lincoln Districts had a good run through the midfield with numerous forward 50 entries against the wind, but Watson and Crettenden in the backline stood firm.
In contrast, when dogged chasing, tackling and hard work got the ball into Great Flinders’ forward area they were able to use the wind effectively.
During the second half Dudley, Lindsay, Doudle, Hill and North ran the ball continually into the forward area but the lack of goal kicking accuracy cost them dearly in the end, with Great Flinders doing enough to win.
Game 4
Lincoln City 5-2 (32) d Far West 0-5 (5)
A different Far West team took to the ground against Lincoln City – the players were running, tackling and taking it right up to the fancied Lincoln City team, who made full use of the breeze for a four-goal half to hold their opposition scoreless.
Lincoln City played precise possession football against the wind, with the ball quickly whipped away and run through the centre by Far West when Lincoln City erred.
Unfortunately Far West were unable to convert accurately; their dirty day on the park seeing them goal-less for the day.
Rodda, McEvoy and Williams played well for Lincoln City with Denton, Warmington and Cooper triers for Far West.
Game 5
Whyalla 7-7 (49) Mid West 7-5 (47)
Both teams had a big win under their belt and a second would give them grand final rights.
The Mid West runners were using the ball well and their half backline repelled Whyalla’s forward forays.
Using the wind to advantage with seven goals, one would have expected Mid West had done enough, even though Whyalla had been accurate with their forward thrusts to score two goals against the wind.
A reversal of form from Whyalla in the second half saw them have most of the play, their midfield lifting with Webster, Norman and Ackland coming into the game.
Boylan, Montgomerie and Fitzgerald were giving their all for Great Flinders from all over the ground, but the Whyalla machine held firm to win by two-points and looked dangerous to whoever they were there to meet in the final.
Game 6
Lincoln City 3-6 (24) d Great Flinders 1-6 (12)
Neither team looked anything like the winning teams from their previous match.
Starting with the wind, Lincoln City had several options up forward and continually pushed towards these while Great Flinders were unable to get the ball past half forward before runners Traeger, Lands and Konitzka would sweep it away.
Great Flinders were able to record their only score for the first half in the dying minutes against the wind.
Great Flinders worked hard to gain more possessions with the wind but were frustrated by the run of Lincoln City, who took the game out by two points.
Game 7
Lincoln Districts 6-9 (45) d
Eastern Eyre 3-3 (21)
Playing for pride, Lincoln Districts were the winners both here and on the scoreboard.
They took the game by two hands and owned it with midfield domination and key position winners.
Dudley ran all over the ground aided by Doudle, Nash and We, and they outscored their opposition in both halves.
Eastern Eyre were unable to capitalise with the wind as the Lincoln Districts backline continued to hold strong and their runners moved the ball on quickly.
Forrest, Clements and Raikawazki battled hard for Eastern Eyre but Lincoln Districts were too fast and had too many winners over the ground.
Grand final
Lincoln City 8-4 (52) d Whyalla 7-9 (51)
Whyalla were out to take home the flag and that attitude showed in the first half.
Using the wind their big players they continually sent the ball in long to their forwards. Their half back line held strong and Norman, Everett, Holmes and Webster were on fire for their team.
Williams was trying to drive his team from the centre and they were able to sneak one goal for the half.
One may have suspected that Whyalla had done enough despite their 50 per cent conversion rate to take the honours.
After a very stern discussion at half time, a revamped Lincoln City team took to the field. This was the team that had easily won the day’s opening match by running, talking and using handballs at a rate of knots and five unanswered goals had them within a few points of the shell-shocked Whyalla team.
The lead changed several times as Whyalla were able to break through and add a goal; with points from both teams seeing the match tied at one stage.
Two seconds before the final siren a snap from the outer flank saw Lincoln City get over the line by a solitary point.
An excellent match, well worthy of a grand final between two well-matched and skilful teams in extremely windy conditions.
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