| On a
rainswept outer oval of QEII Park, Christchurch, the Auckland Buccaneers
defeated a physical Canterbury team by 14 goals (104 - 28). Auckland led at each quarter and with a huge second term, the match seemed well-won. Unlike days of old the Aucklanders did not relent and only gave up 3 goals in the entire game. A core of solid, experienced Kiwi players such as skipper Grant Conway, Paul Gunning (vc), Steven Froggatt (vc), Robbie Hart and Paul Mason led the charge with the silky skills of Australians Karl Martin, Todd Taverna and Tim Burdeu sending warning signals to the Wellington squad-members watching on. Each period was marked with hard-running attack on the ball on the ground, as windswept, showery conditions made high marking difficult. Froggatt led very well and converted most of his chances at full-forward, with scraps being cleaned up by Pidgeon and goals sneaked home by Chris Taylor. Martin had a mismatch down the wind-exposed wing and used his boot to telling effect, while man-of-the-match Todd Taverna absolutely dominated his opponent, playing at centre-half forward. Tim Burdeu had a productive afternoon mixing skilful disposals with strong bodywork. The disappointing Auckland-based loss to the Canterbury team of 2001 was well and truly avenged. The next battle is with Wellington at May Rd, Auckland on 8 June, again before the NZ slectors who had much to mull over with new names from Auckland added to the shortlist. |
Left to right: Tim Burdeu, Matt Donaghy, Richard Pidgeon, Steve Froggatt, Karl Martin and Chris Taylor. Well done lads! We look forward to seeing you in action again when you take on Wellington in Auckland on 8th June at Mt Roskill War Memorial Park.
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