BOWRAL’s second grade capped a successful day for United, clinching a convincing 4-1 win over Hill Top.
Hill Top did their best to match the blues but as they pushed for an equalizer late in the game, Bowral slipped another two goals into the back of their net to blow out the scoreline.
Both teams settled their nerves in the opening 20 minutes with most of the action in the middle of the park.
Hill Top had to juggle their normal line up due to sweeper and captain Zac Connolly being unable to play due to a wedding commitment in Queensland.
Bowral’s Warwick Turpin latched on to a Joey Goodfellow throughball to open the scoring after 25 minutes.
United increased their lead on halftime as John Bova landed a bomb from 35metres out to make the grand final more memorable.
The goal hurt Hill Top, but they started the second half fired up and looking for revenge.
Hill Top took advantage of some space and time in the middle of the park with Wazza Whitelaw feeding Mark Johnson up front who slotted the ball home for a comeback goal.
Hill Top pressed for the next 10-15 minutes but the Bowral defence led by Steve Edwards did their job.
Bowral hit back with two more goals in the second half, both scored by in-form Bova, who picked up a hat-trick.
United best were Bova, Turpin, Mick Wane in the first half was brilliant, Arancibia and Glenn Shelton.
Hill Top were best served by Johnson, Whitelaw and Andrew Rae.
Under-12s hold off Bushrangers
AS predicted, this match was an absolute cracker with players and supporters nervous wrecks at the conclusion of the match.
Bowral B won 3-2 and remained undefeated for the season, but only just!
The game started with both sides creating a couple of opportunities and looking very evenly matched.
Bowral B took the lead mid way through the first half with a good finish from Jono Chambers.
This is the way it remained until halftime with both teams defences working hard.
Bowral B went further ahead early in the second half through Lachlan Burley who was in the right spot to finish off a Marcus Bidewell corner.
It looked like a match winning lead but Yerrinbool as they have done all year lifted and came back hard.
A good attack saw Scott Sungren score and Yerrinbool were coming home much the stronger.
Numerous attacks were repelled but it was all one-way traffic and Sam Gardiner finished off a goalmouth raid to equalise and the green Yerrinbool support crew went off!
Bowral B managed to hang on until the final whistle and extra time was called.
Extra time began and a Yerrinbool attack was somehow kept out by Nick Crowley in goals and hurt himself in the process.
How Yerrinbool did not score is anyone’s guess. But the play went the other way and from a free kick Marcus Bidewell hit the perfect shot into the top corner for Bowral to regain the lead.
Both sets of exhausted players could be proud of their efforts and both coaches were quick to praise the performance of their opponents at the presentations.
Underdogs reach summit
THE Bowral youngsters went in as underdogs against minor premiers Moss Vale.
An early goal by left wing forward James Andersen certainly settled their nerves and rattled Moss Vale who lifted their game and pulled a goal back before half time with a long range effort by Harry Sutherland
Shortly after the break, Bowral regained the lead courtesy of a good goal by Sam Crittenden.
Moss Vale lifted again and equalised to make it 2-2 with only minutes remaining.
But it was Crittenden again who knocked in number three to regain the lead.
Moss Vale almost scored a number of times at the death, but Bowral’s defence held strong and were glad to hear the final whistle.
Bowral’s Sebastian Rowley was first to the ball very time at the right fullback and was the player of the match.
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