Magpies Swoop on Bulls Reserves

Boort reserves have squared the ledger with Birchip-Watchem, producing a strong final quarter to snatch a thrilling seven-point victory at George Cartwright Oval on Saturday.

The Round 11 clash was an important one for both sides, with the Bulls and Magpies entering the day locked on identical 4-6 records and looking to keep their finals hopes alive. Birchip-Watchem had comfortably won the teams’ first meeting by 67 points back in Round 4, but Boort turned the tables this time, claiming a hard-fought 6.11 (47) to 6.4 (40) victory.

The occasion began with a nod to the club’s proud history as the Bulls took the field in their red, blue and white heritage guernseys to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the 1986 Birchip Swans senior premiership and the Watchem-Corack reserves premiership. Those two clubs would merge a decade later to form the Birchip-Watchem Bulls, making it a fitting tribute before an important contest.

The game itself lived up to expectations from the opening bounce. Boort enjoyed the better of general play in the first quarter but failed to capitalise fully on the scoreboard, kicking 1.4 to the Bulls’ accurate 1.0 to lead by four points at the first break.

The home side responded brilliantly in the second term. Harrison Christie began to assert himself around the stoppages, while Patrick Lakin provided plenty of run and carry from the wing. Birchip Watchem kicked three goals for the quarter and edged in front by a solitary point at half-time despite Boort continuing to generate opportunities.

The see-sawing battle continued after the main break, with neither side able to gain any breathing space. Max Nield worked tirelessly through the midfield for the Bulls, while James Lindeback and Connor Boyle stood firm in defence under constant pressure from the Magpies' dangerous forward line. Birchip-Watchem again held a slender one-point advantage at the final change after both sides added two goals in an absorbing third quarter.

With the game there to be won in the last term, Boort found another gear. Led by the outstanding Chris Hatcher through the midfield, the Magpies controlled field position and repeatedly forced the ball inside 50. Although the Bulls’ defence battled courageously, Boort’s persistence eventually paid off as they kicked two final-quarter goals while restricting the home side to just one.

Chris Rourke and Dylan Hatcher were lively around the forward line throughout the afternoon, while Tim Lloyd, Jake Boyd and Jack Baker all made valuable contributions across the ground. Baker finished with two goals, while Cooper Gould, Chris Hatcher, Nathan McNally and Patrick O'Rourke each added one as the Magpies finished with six individual goal kickers.

For Birchip-Watchem, Christie was excellent in the midfield and capped an excellent performance with a goal. Connor Boyle continued his impressive season across half-back, intercepting numerous attacks, while Lindeback was resolute in defence. Nield never stopped competing around the contest and also hit the scoreboard, and Lakin provided valuable outside run all afternoon. Matt Berry was the Bulls' leading goal kicker with two majors, while Kobe Hamilton, Brady Paley, Christie and Nield also found the goals.

After leading by the narrowest of margins at both half-time and three-quarter time, Birchip-Watchem will rue letting the contest slip in the final quarter. For Boort, however, the win was an important response after their heavy Round 4 defeat to the Bulls and keeps their season alive.