They saw two hours of trench warfare and close quarter combat as both teams were reluctant to give up any ground.

Appropriately for the day and these two rebuilding clubs, the combatants were on the whole very young, generally about the same age as most of the veterans present when they served their country so well.

The ceremony before the game was a tremendous spectacle which surely stirred the blood of all present and certainly created a commitment in the players.

The first quarter set the tone for the game with one side then the other seeming to have the break, but the opposition would rally and haul them in.

Nuri looked to have the first break with early goals but their advance was halted when Matt Zimmermann and Brenton Bascombe landed some long range goals to keep the heritage guernsey-wearing Blues in touch at the first change.

Arlen Kaesler made several effective runs in the second quarter to provide the only real examples of open football for the stanza as goals to Ryan Skipworth and Judd Smith kept the Tigers’ slight advantage alive.

Brenton Bascombe became the game breaker for Angaston with three goals in the first eight minutes of the third quarter and it looked as if Angaston would run away with the game.

Not to be however, as the Tigers tightened up their discipline over the ground and were rewarded with two goals from 50 metre penalties, which put them back in the game.

A series of points to the home team let Angaston off the hook but Nuri had crept in front by four points until a late goal to Michael Danielle at the 28-minute mark gave the visitors a narrow two-point lead at the last change.

Tall Panther forward, Kyle McLean, broke free from his opponents basically for the first time on the day to take two critical marks with one of the resultant kicks realising a major to put his team over a goal ahead.

The Tigers laid siege on the Angaston defence for the majority of the remaining quarter, but couldn’t find their way across the goal line and could only produce a minor score.

Nuriootpa constantly overused the ball rather than go direct and when they did Angaston’s defenders lead by Brandon Kurtz, Ashley Clarke and a resurgent Matt Doecke, who had come up off the canvas after being KO’d, turned them out.

The victory clinched the Centenary Cup for the Panthers and was delivered through a good team effort, which was led by defenders Brandon Kurtz and Ashley Clarke, five-goal forward Brenton Bascombe, inaugural Bob Christie medallist Greg Bain in the midfield and emerging centre half forward Dave Geyer.

Young ruckman Kym Reimann played the entire game on the ball and prevented Nuri’s most effective weapon Matt Cragg-Sapsford from dominating the game.

The Tigers also could claim a good team effort although praise would be tempered by the loss.

Midfielders Billy Nicholls and Arlen Kaesler gave them pace and possessions around the packs, ruckman Cragg-Sapsford was always a potent looming danger.

Young defender Lewis Heinrich did a very good job for his team holding one of Angaston’s main weapons goal-less and as always captain courageous Shawn Gibson played his heart out for the guernsey.

Youngster Ryan Skipworth signalled the promising future of this young group with a solid effort.

South shock Barossa

South Gawler added to the miserable 2008 start for reigning premier Barossa District inflicting a 34-point drubbing at Lyndoch on Saturday.

For Lions coach Damien Herzick it was third time lucky after poor starts to his previous two seasons.

With seven goals to two, South set up the victory in the opening stanza and didn’t look back.

“Our pressure around the ball was outstanding,” Herzick explained.

“Aaron Bayliss set up the game in the first quarter, then was heavily tagged.

“We still had a five-goal lead at half time and it stayed around this for the remainder of the game.”

Andrew Bevis kicked four first half goals for the victors, before leaving with a suspected calf injury, then after a quiet start, the extroverted Anton Gerardis stepped up to the plate and also kicked four majors.

Casey Schell did a great job closing the important Heath Commane out of the game, while Nathan Kennedy was the leading big man on the ground.

The weather was conducive for small man David Coombes, who was constructive all day at ground level, while a fit-looking Lee Makris produced his best four-quarter game for the club according to his coach.

Stewie Fowler and Aaron Bevis were also important contributors.

For the Bulldogs who never really challenged, young Jack Martin was regarded as their best.

The Amber boys Ashley and Jarred, along with the returning Simon Wills after a year on the sidelines with a knee operation also rated a mention.

Assistant coach Daniel Thomas kicked three goals for the vanquished.

Matt Laurie and Adam Spencer got their fair share of touches as well.

After a draw and a loss, Barossa District, which has a bye this weekend, must get onto the winners’ list promptly or the chances of a third consecutive flag will drift away.

Tigers in a thriller

Gawler Central upset perennial grand finalist Freeling scoring a thrilling one-point victory in a frenetic finish at Gawler Oval.

After leading for the majority of the day, but only by small margins, the Tigers had to overcome an eight-point deficit with three minutes to go.

Star forward Scott Hahn then kicked a goal followed by a couple of behinds including a miss by Joel Latimer from only 15 metres out.

Aaron King then crumbed a loose ball and kicked what would prove to be the match winner.

But the drama didn’t stop there.

In the dying seconds, after a smother by Central youngster Ryan Clasohm inadvertently went out of bounds on the full, off his own boot, Freeling forward Paris Fowden had the chance to decide the result.

A point would draw the game and a goal would give Freeling victory.

But after being the outstanding forward in the game, Fowden’s checkside punt from the boundary drifted across the goal face and also went out-of-bounds on the full.

“It was an exciting game of wet weather football and I was rapt to get the premiership points,” Central coach Mark Brant said.

“To bounce back from the previous week was pleasing.

“It was a courageous effort by the group and we had many big performers.”

Brant was pleased with Luke Howard’s work in ruck, Brad Taylor was excellent all game and kicked a freakish goal in the third term.

Jake Asher was given the role of closing down round one match winner, Scott Leal and was admirable. Brendan Niklaus kicked three goals and handed out two.

For Freeling, Michael Haseldine is enjoying his role in the middle, while the Lamond brothers, Brenton and Stuart both made their presence felt.

Darren Leske, the Redleg captain, was his usual hard working self and Lachie Heinrich also deserves a mention.

“It was a good contest all day considering the conditions,” Redlegs coach Scott Leal said. “Losing Stuart Lamond for the last 10 minutes with a broken arm was critical. In a losing side I thought Mick Haseldine was easily best on the ground, marking strongly in the conditions and playing like it was a dry day.”

Stuart Lamond is expected to miss between 8-10 weeks.

Scoreboard

Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association

Played April 25, 26

A Grade

South Gawler 7.1 10.2 13.4 16.9(105)

Barossa 2.4 4.9 7.10 10.11(71)

Best: South – A Bayliss, D Coombs, L Makris, N Kennedy, C Schell, C Fowler; Bar – J Martin, A Amber, M Laurie, S Wills, J Amber, A Spencer.

Goals: South - A Geradis 4, Andrew Bevis 4, A Bayliss 2, A Costa, A Johnson, D Coombs, L Makris, C Fowler, Aaron Bevis 1 ea; Bar – D Thomas 3, D Sharp, P Stelzer, A Spencer, M Laurie, A Spicer, R Christie, G Chamberlain 1 ea.

Angaston 2.4 4.7 8.8 9.10(64)

Nuriootpa 3.4 5.8 7.12 7.13(55)

Best: Ang – K Reimann, G Bain, D Geyer, B Kurtz, A Clarke, B Bascombe; Nuri – L Heinrich, B Nicholls, S Gibson, A Kaesler, M Cragg-Sapsford, R Skipworth.

Goals: Ang – B Bascombe 5, K McLean, G Bain, M Zimmerman, M Danielle 1 ea; Nuri – S Gibson 2, B Nicholls 2, J Smith, A Fiegert, R Skipworth 1 ea.

Gawler Central 3.3 5.3 6.5 8.11(59)

Freeling 3.0 3.2 6.3 9.4(58)

Best: Cent – L Howard, B Taylor, C Hill, J Asher, A King, K Heberle; Free – M Haseldine, S Lamond, D Leske, L Heinrich, B Lamond, J Wright.

Goals: Cent – B Niklaus 3, S Hahn 2, C Thomas, T Corneliusen, B Taylor 1 ea; Free – P Fowden 5, S Lamond 2, D Leske 1, K Barry 1.

Tanunda 2.4 4.5 6.7 7.10(52)

Kapunda 2.1 3.4 4.6 5.7(37)

Best: Tan – C Underwood, R Bignell, B Wall, R Kreuger, A Kennedy, B Newberry; Kap – M McCarthy, B Taylor, B Valentine, C Ryan, M Cussadia, A Turrell.

Goals: Tan – B Wall 5, A Kennedy 1, D Waye 1; Kap – B Taylor 2, M Mickan 2, M Cussadia 1.

Reserves

Barossa 2.3 6.5 7.6 9.13(67)

South Gawler 0.0 1.3 3.3 4.4(28)

Best: Bar – B Bussell, D Goodfellow, J Woods, D Wilson, S Vanstone, T Wigzell; South – J Dare, M Bevis, L East, A Brown, T Bowden.

Goals: Bar – M Brooks 4, M Heading 2, R Fromm, T Wigzell, C McAlpine 1 ea; South – J Dare, N O’Reilly, P Pittam, S Hargreaves 1 ea.

Angaston 2.4 3.4 4.4 7.7(49)

Nuriootpa 0.2 1.6 2.13 3.13(31)

Best: Ang – S Linke, B Swan, N Reimann, C Doecke, E Hadden, A Hili; Nuri – S Collins, B Carter, D Nietschke, T Jensen, B Lydeamore, B Rohrlach.

Goals: Ang – J Carter, M Pech, H McGillvray, A Murphy, E Hadden, J Plush, S Linke 1 ea; Nuri – B Rohrlach, T Jensen, L Cook 1 ea.

Gawler Central 6.2 10.7 15.7 17.13(115)

Freeling 0.2 1.3 2.3 2.3(15)

Best: Cent – P Davis, J Harris, M Aggan, T Schillabeer, L Pearce; Free – W Holloway, A McLusky, K Smith, J Moulds, G Shaw, S Carmichael.

Goals: Cent – A Frackowski 4, T Foreman 4, T Schillabeer 2, J Harris 2, J Speck 2, N Aggan, C Wilson, K Heintz 1 ea; Free – P Kerin 1, W Holloway 1.

Tanunda 6.0 9.5 10.7 11.9(76)

Kapunda 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0(0)

Best: Tan – J Ward, B Kaesler, L Underwood, S Schwarz, S Pech, S Morrisson; Kap – K Chappell, M Johnson, M Holding, T Leslie, A Hampel, D Burgess.

Goals: Tan – L Underwood 3, B Kaesler 3, M Godfrey 2, A Ey 2, S Morrisson 1.

Senior Colts

South Gawler 3.0 6.4 8.6 11.8(74)

Barossa 2.0 3.1 4.4 4.7(30)

Best: South – A Parsons, S Thomas, P Wharton, A Bain, D Delaney, J Callander; Bar – A McAlpine, T McCarthy, B O’Driscoll, B Rehn, L Smith, J Platten.

Goals: South – R Barker 2, J Vermeeren 2, R Rosewall, R Allen, A Parsons, R Vermeeren, D Delaney, T Hopgood, R Coogan 1 ea; Bar – B O’Driscoll, A Stone, M Van Dommele, A McAlpine 1 ea.

Angaston 2.1 7.4 10.5 14.8(92)

Nuriootpa 3.1 3.3 5.5 7.5(47)

Best: Ang – M Spangler, B McHendrie, J Ryan, T Chinner, T Talbot, N Falland, S Rathjen; Nuri – A Modistach, C McGorman, D Cameron, M Patrilli, R Modistach, J Hollitt.

Goals: Ang – B McHendrie 5, M Harris-Martin 2, A Adams 2, S Rathjen, M Talbot, S Rusca, B Egert, M Spangler 1 ea; Nuri – D Cameron 3, A Modistach, B Button, J Hollitt, M Kurtz 1 ea.

Gawler Central 1.2 4.5 5.10 7.10(52)

Freeling 4.4 5.5 6.6 6.8(44)

Best: Cent – P Bradtke, C Molyneux, L Stockdale, J Knott, R Liveley, R Wenham; Free – L Schuster, B Williams, J Martin, A Cocks, D Drummond, T Barnes.

Goals: Cent – C Bilney 4, P Bradtke, C Molyneux, A Cullen 1 ea; Free – M Doherty, A Schmidt, J Martin, A Hornby, A Cocks, B Williams 1 ea.

Tanunda 1.3 3.7 6.8 9.13(67)

Kapunda 2.4 4.6 5.7 6.9(45)

Best: Tan – S Tscharke, R Ferrett, M Grocke, J Frentsch, T Hamann, J Schultz; Kap – C Richter, D Ryan, M Ruppelt, S Crawford, D Platten, C Richmond.

Goals: Tan – S Tscharke 2, D Abinett 2, J Frentsch 2, J Chambers, C Gattermayr, J Miller 1 ea; Kap – D Ryan 2, M Ruppelt 2, C Richter 1, S Clancy 1.

JUNIOR Colts

South Gawler 6.4 7.6 9.11 12.16(88)

Barossa 0.0 1.0 2.0 2.0(12)

Best: South – M Gajewski, D Musolino, C Felstead, M Demeo, C Cameron, J Ahern; Bar – W Aylett, H Traynor, J Madgen, A Thwaites, R Watson.

Goals: South – J Ahern 4, D Musolino 4, M Demeo 2, A Hansen 1, C Felstead 1; Bar – A Thwaites 1, W Aylett 1.

Nuriootpa 5.5 7.12 12.16 18.16(124)

Angaston 0.0 1.0 1.0 2.0(12)

Best: Nuri – T Schiller, J Jaensch, D Burgess, S Lee, M Button, J Baldwin; Ang – H Edmead, J Wilson, S Rusca, W Falland, A Griscti, T Ryan.

Goals: Nuri – S Lee 6, T Schiller 2, A Saint 2, J Dahms 2, C Schneider 2, J Baldwin, J Jaensch, J Matthews, B Hollitt 1 ea; Ang – T Ryan 1, J Wilson 1.

Gawler Central 1.2 5.5 6.6 8.9(54)

Freeling 0.3 0.3 2.3 3.3(21)

Best: Cent – A Cox, T Princiotto, J Oxenham, C Edmead, B Simpson, B Hunt; Free – J Holloway, J Ashenden, T Doherty, J Robinson, J Ashenden, T Byrne.

Goals: Cent – T Princiotto 3, J Oxenham 2, B Simpson, C Edmead, M Pike 1 ea; Free – J Ashenden 2, J Robinson 1.

Kapunda 2.1 3.1 6.3 10.5(65)

Tanunda 3.5 6.5 6.7 7.8(50)

Best: Kap – T Matthews-Brown, T McKinnon, K Johnson, A Wilson, S Pratt, P Keane; Tan – J Mitchell, L Neldner, D Marshall, D Dutschke, K Grocke, L Gann.

Goals: Kap – K Johnson 3, T Matthews-Brown 2, C Rowsel, C Cavan, A Wilson, P Keynes, R Jennings 1 ea; Tan – L Neldner 3, T Goers 2, J Mitchell 1, J Marshall 1.