Rd 3 of SCAFL saw Guangzhou Scorpions travel to Macau to take on the Macau Lightning at Macau Stadium field in Taipa.
The first quarter saw the Lightning get off to a flying start with a goal within the first 15secs of the opening bounce due to a centre clearances by Jas Elton that lead to Troy Harris scoring the opening goal. Macau Lightning had control of the opening quarter with Matt Wilson crumbing off a long kick forward to run into an opening goal to score the Lightning’s second goal. With the Scorpions starting slow and Lightning backline lead by Dane Franklin and Dane Evans stopping everything that came there way in the first quarter this lead to attacking opportunities to the Lightning and saw Troy Harris kick his second goal and Lightning’s third for the quarter. 1st 3-2-20 to 0-0-0.
Second quarter saw the Lightning start like they started the first. Quick goals in succession to Troy Harris saw the lightning extend their lead. Scorpions lost their ruckman early in the second quarter with a thumb injury but the Scorpions fought back in the second part of the quarter with Nick Gregoriou kicking the Scorpions first followed by another goal to the Scorpions captain Matt Warren. Just before half time saw the Scorpions lose their fullback Grant “Tom” Dooley in a marking contest that saw his fellow teammate collide with Grant and splitting his head open ruling Grant out for the rest of the game requiring 5 stitches. Lightning finished the quarter off with a goal to Brett Tolson from the boundary which saw the Lightning take a 7-2-44 to 2-2-14 lead into half time.
Third quarter saw a tight battle with no real side taking advantage of the quarter. Matt Wilson was taking charge of the ruck contest allowing the Lightning midfields to get there hands on the ball first. But the Scorpions held the Lightning to one goal in the third quarter with Tony Mitchell kicking the only goal for the quarter, 3qrt 8-3-51 to 2-3-15
Final quarter saw the Scorpions kick the first goal of the quarter with and exciting run by Hong Ly to finish off his great work with a goal. Scorpions missed some early opportunities in the final quarter with Jon Hopper, Nathan Leischeke and Matt Warren all missing goals to put some score board pressure on the Lightning. Lightning took control of the latter stages of the quarter with Tony Mitchell kicking two goals. The Lightning had all the running, while The Scorpions performance was a far cry from that seen during the opening rounds of the season.
The Macau Lighning secured their first ever win by a healthy 49 points, 11-5-71 to 3-4-21. This being a fair reflection of the relative performances on the day.
The game was played in great spirit and in front of a healthy local crowd that saw Macau Lightning secure their first ever club win and also claim the Pearl River Cup. Many Thanks to all the volunteers that help out on the day.
Macau Lightning Goal Kickers – Troy Harris 5, Tony Mitchell 3, Matt Wilson 1, Brett Tolson 1, Geoff Hodgson 1.
Guangzhou Scorpions Goal Kickers – Nick Gregoriou 1, Matt Warren, Hong Ly 1.
Macau Lightning Best Players – Troy Harris, Dane Franklin, Dane Evans, Matt Wilson, Chris Rogers
Guangzhou Scorpions Best Players – Ruud Langeveld, Remco Bohre, Nathan Leischeke, Nimrod Abarbenal, Grant Dooley.