Bulls lose first for season

– Glen Atwell
EAST Ringwood exacted winning revenge against Noble Park on Saturday, beating the Bulls by nine points in Eastern Football League action at East Ringwood Reserve.
After the Bulls beat East Ringwood in last year’s Division One preliminary final, denying the Kangaroos a grand final berth, it was clear that more than just the four points were on the line on Saturday.
East Ringwood was bouncing back from its first loss of the season, and forced enough errors from the previously unbeaten Bulls to come away with a handsome win.
Noble Park dynamo Daniel Kennedy booted the first goal of the game at the eight-minute mark of the first quarter, but it appeared to wake the sleeping dragon as the Kangaroos kicked two quick goals in reply.
But the momentum swung again, with goals to Aaron Cole, Peter O’Brien and Kris Barlow putting the Bulls 10 points up at the first break.
The lead was short-lived however, as East Ringwood booted six goals to one in the second quarter to open up a 20-point lead at half-time.
It was the next quarter that cost the error-ridden Bulls the game.
The third quarter was a stalemate with neither side able to gain a significant advantage.
Kangaroo defender Daniel Sheers was blanketing Bulls full-forward Cole, who kicked only two goals for the game, while East Ringwood goal-kicker Brendan Holowiuk was well held by Noble Park full-back Daniel Rigg.
But it was East Ringwood that was better prepared to find alternate paths to goal, and despite a last-quarter charge by the Bulls, the Kangaroos ran out deserving winners.
East Ringwood coach Paul McCormack said beating Noble Park had been a long-term goal for his side.
“They beat us in the finals last year, and I think all pre-season we have been aiming to come that next step and beat Noble Park and beat the Vermont,” he said.
The going won’t get any easier for Noble Park this Saturday as the team travels to Donvale Reserve to play Donvale.