May 18, 2015
by Martin Stern
It came down to the last round to sort out who would be contesting the President’s Cup next Saturday in Kingaroy.
The President’s Cup is played between the top two teams in each division after teams have played each other twice.
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Barambah travelled to Kingaroy to play Wests.
It has not been a happy year for Barambah with the club being strapped for players as many hung up their boots or moved to other clubs.
The men’s team is basically doubling up for both 1st and 2nd Division and have already lost players to injury. However, they show up and play each week and although they face an impossible task, they have remained competitive and are no easy beats.
In 2nd Division, Barambah earned their first win of the season beating the previously unbeaten Wests.
Barambah hit the lead in the third minute when Sam Kemp found a huge gap in Wests’ defensive midfield. His shot left Wests’ keeper Jason Lang stranded as the curl and wind carried it into the back of the net.
In the 20th minute, it was Sam Kemp again with an identical goal to give Barambah a 2-0 lead.
Ryan Francis pulled on back for Wests five minutes before half time with a powerful shot just inside the penalty box.
Both teams had plenty of chances in the second half but Barambah went on to secure their first win of the season.
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In the Women’s game, Barambah fronted up after a midweek loss to Nanango.
The first half was a good tussle in the middle of the park with only a few scoring opportunities. Barambah scored early in the second half through Taylah Berlin but Wests replied with Hayley Hunter scoring four minutes later.
Wests hit the lead from a Toni Phillips-Petersen goal and in the 54th it was Hunter again, completing her brace.
On a more serious note, Wests sustained what appeared to be two serious injuries with ambulances being called.
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In 1st Division, it was a must-win game for Wests if they were to contest the President’s Cup.
They also had to rely on an undermanned Nanango to beat Gunners.
Wests attacked from the outset but were repelled by some strong defence led by Ash Burns.
Wests eventually found the net in the 22nd minute with Ryan Francis scoring.
Wests continued to press Barambah and were rewarded from a well-taken shot from Braden Swan in the 34th minute.
Six minutes into the second half Brandon Smith, who is in fine form, scored Wests’ third goal.
It looked as if it would turn into a cakewalk for Wests against a tired Barambah side, but Barambah fought back and at times were on top of Wests and had scoring opportunities.
Wests hung on to win 3-0, and with Nanango beating Gunners, have found themselves in the President’s Cup.
Wests are through in all grades.
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Weekend Results
1st Division
- Nanango 2 (T Mangan 26th, J Ballinger 40th) – Gunners 1 (N Gurnett 39th)
- Wests 3 (R Francis 22nd, B Swan 34th, B Smith 51st) – Barambah 0
2nd Division
- Gunners 2 (J Copas 32nd, 48th) – Nanango 1 (D Ashby 11th)
- Barambah 2 (S Kemp 3rd, 20th) – Wests 1 (R Francis 34th)
Women’s
- Nanango 3 (R Campbell 21st, C Kelly 8th, 67th) – Gunnettes 0
- Wests 3 (H Hunter 43rd, 49th, T Philips-Petersen 54th) – Barambah 1 (T Berlin 37th)
Next weekend, the President’s Cup round will be played at Tom Alford Oval in Kingaroy:
- 2:00pm – 2nd Division: Wests v Gunners
- 4:00pm – Women’s: Nanango v Wests
- 6:00pm – 1st Division: Nanango v Wests
** UPDATE May 21: Times have been changed for Saturday’s President’s Cup round:
- 2:00pm – 2nd Division: Wests v Gunners
- 3:00pm – Women’s: Nanango v Wests
- 5:00pm – 1st Division: Nanango v Wests
