Hills Football League match reports round two 2020: Hahndorf defeats Blackwood
It has won four of the past five Hills Football League flags and the condensed nine-round season could play further into the hands of top club Hahndorf. See the match of the week and reports from round two.
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A condensed Hills Football League season this year could play into the hands of competition powerhouse Hahndorf, according to Magpies coach Matt Golding.
The reigning premiers moved to their accustomed position on top of the ladder after defeating Blackwood in the round two HFL match of the week on Saturday.
Hahndorf was wayward in front of goal but remained in control as it downed the Woods 8.13 (61) to 3.7 (25) at Blackwood Oval.
With two games down already in the nine-round season condensed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Golding said the short campaign should suit his experienced stars.
“I think for our team, we’ve got lots of kids and some middle-aged guys but also a number of our better players are our senior guys,” Golding said.
“Guys like Matt Jaensch, Kyle Cheney, Dan Roberts, Scott Purling those types.
“To have a condensed season it doesn’t favour us but certainly suits us that these guys don’t have to slog it out from March to September.”
Golding also believed the Magpies, who went undefeated last season on their way to a fourth flag in five seasons, would benefit from a settled line-up.
“The guys we’ve got now have played 40-60 games together now, some a lot more than that,” he said.
“There’s probably a couple of other teams that could say that as well without stretching the truth.
“Then maybe some other teams that have brought in newer guys, maybe they don’t have that three or four game window to get used to everyone else and will have to jell a bit quicker than they naturally would.”
On Saturday, Hahndorf held Blackwood goalless in the opening term and continued to stifle the hosts all day.
But Golding said he never felt comfortable until late in the game against the solid Woods, who came off a big round one win over Mount Lofty.
Usual suspects Troy Parker-Boers and Dylan Matsen led the way for the Magpies while Brayden Hopgood shutdown Blackwood forward Ryan Djiksman and Tom Babidge booted three goals.
Rhys Sporn was named best in a battling performance for the Woods.
In other results, Onkaparinga Valley and Mount Barker could not be split as they drew 7.7 (49) apiece at Balhannah Oval.
The Dogs led by 11 points at the last change but the Roos, on the backs of Will Schultz and Sam Callins, pegged the hosts back in a 3.2 to 1.3 final term.
Nairne Bremer opened their season at home after the bye in round one but were no match for Mount Lofty in a 35-point defeat.
Star forward recruit Darcy Hourigan made his first appearance for the Rams since crossing from Hahndorf and kicked four goals, while Alex Weeks starred for the Demons.
A resurgent Lobethal secured its second-straight win in a six-point thriller over Uraidla Districts, which will be kicking itself after scoring 8.17 (65) to the Tigers’ 11.5 (71).
In division two, it looks set to be another long season for Torrens Valley after it was belted by Macclesfield to the tune of 138 points.
Meanwhile Gumeracha and Ironbank Cherry Gardens both secured wins to move to 2-0 and Birdwood prevailed over Kangarilla.
SCOREBOARD
DIVISION ONE
■ Onkaparinga Valley 7.7 (49) drew Mount Barker 7.7 (49) at Balhannah Oval
■ Mount Lofty 10.13 (73) d Nairne Bremer 6.2 (38) at Nairne Oval
■ Hahndorf 8.13 (61) d Blackwood 3.7 (25) at Blackwood Oval
■ Lobethal 11.5 (71) d Uraidla Districts 8.17 (65) at Uraidla Oval
■ Echunga – bye
DIVISION TWO
■ Gumeracha 12.14 (86) d Bridgewater Callington 11.10 (76) at Bridgewater Oval
■ Birdwood 17.7 (109) d Kangarilla 10.8 (68) at Kangarilla Oval
■ Macclesfield 24.20 (164) d Torrens Valley 4.2 (26) at Macclesfield Oval
■ Ironbank Cherry Gardens 17.18 (120) d Kersbrook 7.16 (58) at Thunder Park
■ Meadows – bye