The season came to a close for Cottesloe Premier grade on Saturday when they were narrowly defeated by neighbours Associates by a score of 22 to 17. The weather was reasonable and the dry track ensured that a mesmerizing game of football broke out to the satisfaction of the crowd. It was the men in blue who took the lead through the boot of Jason Badenhorst. The game ebbed and flowed for a period before Cottesloe struck for the first try of the match when Tim Parks conned a couple of Associates defenders and went over for an easy score. Associates realising that the game was slipping from them picked up the pace and began to carry hard at the resolute Cott defence. Associates hit back with a clever try which was duly converted and before the break they also managed to nick a penalty to make it 10-10.

The second half began brightly for Cottesloe and they enjoyed some territorial advantage. Associates defence was on point though and Cottesloe were reduced to a long range penalty attempt which was missed. The men in yellow began to surge immediately after this as the fact that they had endured Cottesloe’s period of pressure without conceding allowed their forwards to grow a metaphorical arm and a leg. The damn burst for Cottesloe with about twenty minutes to go when Associates scored from a good move on the left flank catching Cottesloenarrow. Ten minutes later they scored again and it was suddenly looking very grim at 22-10, but Cottesloe were not done. Dr John Iliff and Tim Koiatu were unleashed from the bench and TK’s vision and Johnny’s torpedo like carrying of the ball began to lift the team and Associates found themselves on the back foot. With four minutes to go, said doctor smashed a bunch of Associates defenders over like skittles and got over for a try which brought the score to within seven. TK converted the try through an amazing drop goal to save time on the clock and suddenly Cottesloe had a chance. The boys in blue began to carry the ball with real authority and Morne Martin began moving the team left and right. A tired and desperate Associates team were now in full blown retreat and badly needed the final whistle. A knock on by an Associates player though disrupted an extended phase of Cottesloe possession deep in the Soaks half and the referee had seen enough and called time on Cottesloe’s season.

If you are going to go out its best to go out with a bang rather than a whimper and Cottesloe went for the jugular at the end. It was typical of this side that even when the chips were down they went for it anyway. Kieran Stringer and Tobias Hoskins both went into this match with significant physical injuries yet both finished out the match, preferring to go out on their shields rather than hiding. The Spartan way. This sort of spirit and courage permeates the whole playing group and makes it a joy for this writer and any of the supporters who follow this team to watch them week to week and season to season. A lot of the time this side is outsized but they are never outgunned. It is a well coached, well lead, young, skilful and athletic side and there is nothing surer than that they will bounce back in seasons to come.

Thank you for the year lads,
CB