Match Report : Round 7 AFLME 26th February

Magpies5.18.213.613.11.89

Kangas3.26.57.88.12.60

Goalkickers:

Magpies : Chylinski 5, Holmes 2, Andrews 2, Matacz 2, Rigby 1, Allum 1

Kangas :  Patterson 2, Barnes 2, Skipper 2

Best Players:

Magpies: Andrews, Matacz, Chylinski, Holmes, Rambo

Kangas: Skipper, Barnes, Patterson

The breakthrough win for the Muscat Magpies for season 2009/2010 came belatedly in Muscat against the Doha Kangaroos on Friday.

It was great to see good numbers (male and female) making the trip over from Doha for the round 7 clash against the Magpies.  With a 1 point game the last time the two teams met in Qatar and four points proving hard to come by for both teams this year, the scene was set for a good competitive game of footy.

The Magpies started with the wind, and used it well.  Mike Chylinski worked hard up forward to kick two in the first term while in form big man Damian Matacz got on top in the middle and allowed the Muscat ball carriers to impact.  Doha steadied however and pulled back three quick goals against the wind to see the difference only 11 points at quarter time.

The second quarter was a see sawing affair with both teams kicking 3 goals.  Doha put plenty of pressure on the Muscat back line with their midfield starting to click.  At half time the difference had been pegged back to 9 points and the game was wide open.

After a couple of third quarter fade outs by the Magpies in earlier games this year, coach Honk Scott asked the Muscat boys to dig deep for the championship quarter.  And they did.  Matacz, Andrews and Allum got the momentum out of the middle and four quick unanswered goals for the Magpies followed.  The backline, marshalled by big Dean Rambo held firm in support and another third quarter goal close to the siren saw the three quarter time margin out to 34 points in favour of the Pies.

The warmer temperature was starting to take its toll; the final quarter was battled out in a lower scoring scramble for the line.  The Doha boys fought the game out hard to outscore the Magpies by a goal in the last quarter, but the earlier damage had been done and the Magpies ended up victors by a margin of 29 points.

Three hours of power at the Rugby Clubhouse saw the Magpies also retain the boat race crown (with a distinct weight advantage), and capped off a good days play on and off the field with the visiting team. 

The Magpies were very happy to draw a line under a disappointing season 2009/10 with a win; sights focused firmly on next year…