Women’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review – UTS AFC v Pennant Hills Demons

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

The UTS Bats fell short by three points in their round 10 loss to Sydney University. The Pennant Hills Demons defeated Inner West by 30 points.

 

First quarter

Under sun-drenched skies at Trumper Oval, the first term got underway.

Pennant Hills sprung tactical change from the opening bounce with Eleanor Rugg moved from centre half-back into the centre square from the first bounce.

UTS had a goal-scoring opportunity within the first 90 seconds.

From a ball up inside the forward 50, Julia Georos picked the football up cleanly off the ground. Her running shot at goal was pushed to the right for a minor score.

Jessica Quade who mpressed in last week’s tight loss had another shot on the goal which registered a behind.

UTS had their hands on the football for most of the opening eight minutes. However, the Demons responded through Eliza Harvey with their first entry inside the forward 50.

Elizabeth Gordon cleared the ball from a stoppage to Hayley Lowe in the middle of the ground. Lowe shifted the football onto the far centre wing into the path of Harvey. Who at full speed took her time to control possession, steadied and kicked the game’s first goal from the forward pocket.

The Demons made it two first quarter goals through Brianna-Lee Wade.

From a free kick on the half-forward flank, Alexandra Wade sent the football into the forward pocket. Wade marked on the second attempt and converted the set shot from close range.

And for all the Bats’ dominance in the first term, they came away goalless as the Demons made the most of their limited opportunities.

Quarter time UTS Bats 0.3.3 Pennant Hills Demons 2.0.12.

 

Second quarter

It took less than two minutes for UTS to strike in the second term.

A quick clearance from a stoppage at centre-half back opened the centre corridor. Gabriella Stanwix collected on football on the run and handballed to Georos who used a burst of speed which created a mismatch in the forward line.

Imogen Brown led back towards the goal square, marked and played on immediately and with a quick handball over the top, sent Quade into the open goal.

The Bats’ second goal came in quick succession.

A free kick was paid on the centre wing to Ruby Reid, who moved the football quickly to Alesha Houlahan. From the half-forward flank, Houlahan’s high kick was marked strongly by Millie Hely-Hammond just outside of the goal square. UTS were back in front.

Both sides backlines held firm through the middle period of the quarter. Despite periods with the football locked inside the forward 50, neither team could produce a goal.

Quade had a late opportunity, but her kick off the ground registered a minor score.

Half time UTS Bats 2.5.17 Pennant Hills Demons 2.0.12.

 

Third quarter

The football was hemmed inside the Bats’ forward 50 in the opening minutes of the third term, with two behinds scored.

It was the third time lucky for UTS. From a boundary throw-in deep inside the forward 50, Quade reacted quickest from her tap and snapped the ball across her body from close range. The Bats’ lead was extended to 13 points.

Pennant Hills almost hit straight back.

The Demons created a turnover on the half-forward flank. A tackle was broken, and the football was sent to the hotspot.

The entry cleared the first contest and ended up in the arms of Brianna-Lee Wade. The attempted snap didn’t come back enough, and Pennant Hills had their first point since the opening quarter.

The Demons continued to search for their third goal. If not for a lunge on the goal line from Stanwix, Natalie Pajor would’ve reduced the margin.

UTS added their second goal of the quarter through Kaitlin McCaffery with a skilful finish off the outside of her right foot.

Before Brown added a late goal. The margin was extended to 23 points at the last change.

Three quarter time UTS Bats 5.7.37 Pennant Hills Demons 2.2.14.

 

Fourth quarter

Quade wasted no time as she added her third within two minutes of the last quarter.

Houlahan won a holding the ball free kick on the half-forward flank and quickly kicked to the leading Quade, who converted the set shot on a tight angle.

Pennant Hills had a sustained period inside their forward 50. Pajor’s tackling pressure led to repeated entries, but the Demons scored three behinds.

UTS made the Demons pay at the other end of the ground as Quade added another from just outside the goal square. The lead was extended to 33 points.

The Bats kicked another soon after through Reid. She roved a contest deep inside the forward 50, broke two tackles and finished across her body from close range.

After Pennant Hills wrestled the momentum away in the first quarter the Bats didn’t look back as they ground out an impressive 39-point win.

Full time UTS Bats 8.8.56 Pennant Hills Demons 2.5.17.

 

Alesha Houlahan impressed around the ground for the Bats. Gabriella Stanwix not only defended well but launched attacks from half back. Whilst Jessica Quade showed her class inside the forward 50.

Kaitlin Noble was superb across half back for Pennant Hills. Elanor Rugg impressed around the contest with her disposal as Hayley Lowe gathered possessions all over the ground.

 

UTS Bats 8.8.56

Goal kickers: J. Quade 4, I. Brown, K. McCaffery, R. Reid, M. Hely-Hammond

Best: C. Owen, R. Reid, M. Hely-Hammond, J. Georos, M. Lindsay, K. McCaffery

Pennant Hills Demons 2.5.17

Goal kickers: E. Harvey, B. Wade

Best: T. Duguid, M. Hare, E. Gordon, E. Rugg, M. Brown, M. Quinlan