Rye Football Club’s senior team beat Pearcedale Football Club at RJ Rowley Reserve, Rye today.
A bright and brilliantly azure day at Rye saw Rye’s senior and reserves teams beat Pearcedale. In the reserves, Rye had held Pearcedale to a single point, before a significant (ha ha) lapse that saw Pearcedale kick 2 goals in the final quarter. Reserves final scores 23-13-151 def Pearcedale 2-1-13 (yes, a 138 point win).
The senior game was much closer event, but Rye’s 35 point victory was generated from Rye’s dominance out of the centre and across the backline. Ryan Mullet was dominant in the centre, and most ably assisted by Kris Bardon. Clearly playing injured, Matt Greig kicked a couple of goals but missed several more. Nathan Henley went forward and became Rye’s most effective forward target, kicking a number of goals and setting up several more. The most memorable Henley goal was his left foot snap across the body from the pocket in front of the cheering supporters on the balcony – see photo below gallery).
Skipper Adam Kirkwood, Dean Millhouse, Jimmy Jennings and Dayne Thompson were all stalwarts in defence, with Jack Nisbet manfully battling a much stronger ruck opponent all day. The youth brigade of Harrison Richardson, Jackson Allen, Nick Baron and Matt Whelan are still acclimatising to the seniors and need some time in the gym over summer to get on some strength to stop being pushed out of contests so easily. Hagan Rice, back from House Rules frivolities on the TV eased his way back into footy.
Final scores Rye 15-18-108 def Pearcedale 10-13-73
Photos from the seniors game are here:
Nathan Henley’s left foot snap
Rye’s Nathan Henley’s left foot snap for goal. RJ Rowley Reserve, Rye. 9 July 2016
Rye Football Club v Pearcedale