The Warwick’s Gardens Galore Redbacks headed to Baker Street Oval for their round seven clash with the USQ Cougars.
It was a fierce contest from the first bounce with the Redbacks looking to start well after poor first quarters in their last encounters with the Cougars.
The Redbacks had plenty of opportunities inside 50 in the opening quarter but failed to capitalise managing just one major in the first term. It was the Cougars who took a 21 point lead into the first break. The score 4.3.27 – 1.0.6
In the second term, the Redbacks turned up the heat outscoring their opponents three goals to one. Brendan Iles was outstanding early kicking two goals in the opening half. Unfortunately, he was forced from the field with a knee injury shortly before halftime.
At the halftime break the Cougars held a narrow lead over the Redbacks. 5.3.33 – 4.2.26
Some brilliant defensive work by Mitch Darton in the third quarter Mitch Darton and great work from the General, Andrew Bardsley intercepting and delivering well combined with a little help from the breeze restricted USQ in the third quarter to two goals.
Redback’s Shane Iles got on the board with two goals. Heading into the final term the Redbacks trailed by eight points. 7.5.47 – 6.3.39
They final quarter did not go to plan for the Redbacks who had the strong breeze at their backs. Cougar’s young gun Deng Arok lifted his team in the last quarter finishing with three goals. In a game where there were missed opportunities for the Redbacks, Ruckman James Fern had another blinder and was named players player.
Vince White played perhaps his best game of the year, breaking packs and extracting the footy from the contest. Mitch Darton was excellent across half back, reading the play and running the footy out of defence while young Will Jamieson playing only his second game laid some strong tackles and set up the goal in the third quarter that kept the Redbacks in striking distance.
The final score USQ Cougars 9.6.60 – Warwick Redbacks 6.4.40.
The Redbacks let another winnable game slip away and although it was a disappointing results there was a noted level of improvement in their overall skills.
This week the Redbacks will be back at home for their clash against the Toowoomba Tigers. After home games against Dalby and South Burnett were recently washed the games have been unable to be rescheduled and have been cancelled. That means the Redbacks faithful need to make the most of the club’s few remaining home games this season.
Head down to the Redback’s headquarters this Saturday. The bar and canteen will be operating from 1pm and show your support for the club.
