A bliztering opening 30 minutes of football helped the Woods record their second win of the season in Round 3 of the Police Credit Union Hills Football League at Blackwood Oval on Saturday Afternoon

The Woods entered the clash again the Rams looking to set the tone early having lost their past two encounters against Nairne. Coach Scott Prebble and his assistants were forced to make five changes to the side from the previous week welcoming Lachlan Bahnisch, James Hopton, Mark Reynolds and Josh Tainton along with handling Jaxin Faehrmann his A Grade debut for the Woods.

The Woods made a blistering start kicking the opening goal of the game through midfielder Rhys Sporn. Getting ontop through ruck Jan Warbout the Woods were able to lock the ball inside forward 50 at the bottom end of the oval. Youngster Oscar Hodge was able to hit the scoreboard kicking the next two majors of the game from long range. When Harry Wake kicked the fourth goal inside 10 minutes the Woods were up and running with the visiting Rams looking shell shocked. Joel Aish then asserted himself on the match kicking three goals at the 14th, 17th and 20th minutes with his second being his fiftieth goal for the Woods. A late goal to big forward Todd Bedding saw the Rams enter quarter time trailing by 42 points.

When both sides formed their huddles at the first break, Rams coach Daniel Lackenby gave some strong words of advice suggesting his players needed to pull their fingers out. Urging them to forget about the last quarter and what mattered was how they responded in the next 10 minutes. This advice seemed to work with the Rams winning the quarter kicking three goals to one. Woods recruit Alex Scott kicked the opening goal of the term through a holding the ball free kick around a boundary throw in at the top of the 50. Converting truly from long range the large crowd in attendance found their voice. The Rams midfield then began to kick into gear and move the ball with some speed down the ground. Big man Jamison Kelly kickrd straight from long range and when Bedding marked strongly thr Rams had some momentum kicking three on the trot to pull the margin back to five goals at the main break.

Patrick Hillard looks to pick up the football

The Woods came out strongly in the premiership quarter with skipper Ryan Dijksman kicking the opening goal. Turning the ball over across half forward Alex Scott was able to spot up Dijksman inside the forward 50 who snapped truly from 30 metres out. Bedding on the immediate reply snapping truly on his left from long range in the club room pocket. The Woods stepped on the accelerator kicking the next four of the game. Scott kicked his second courtesy of a 50 metre penalty whilst Patrick Hillard kicked his first A Grade goal on the run from 25 metres out. When James Hopton converted truly from a set shot the Woods extended the lead to nine straight goals at the final break.

Both coaches urged their teams to run out the game in the final quarter with the Woods looking to make it a solid victory whilst the Rams wanted to take something out of the game ready for next week. Mathew Tee kicked the opening goal of the final term from a set shot after being spotted up by speedster Moe Milsom. The Rams added much needed respectability to the scoreboard kicking the final three goals. Grant McLeod received a free kick at the top of the square to kick his first goal, Lachlan Cross then kicked his second after receiving a double fifty metre penalty and Daly Eicher scored the final major to pull the margin back to 45 points at the final siren.

Alex Scott was awarded best player for the Woods gaining multiple touches across the middle of the ground whilst Faehrmann, Hillard, Daniel Benson and Bahnisch also featured in the better players.

Final Scoreboard

Blackwood 8.1 9.5 13.11 14.16 (100)

Nairne Bremer 1.1 4.4 5.5 8.7 (55)

Goals – Joel Aish 3, Oscar Hodge 2, Alex Scott 2, Daniel Benson 1, Ryan Dijksman 1, Patrick Hillard 1, James Hopton 1, Rhys Sporn 1, Mathew Tee 1, Harry Wake 1

Best Players – Alex Scott, Jaxin Faehrmann, Patrick Hillard, Daniel Benson, Lachlan Bahnisch