Round 16 VS SV Cina, Newtown Park, 5 August

Elite 2 - 4 SV CIna

Write-up by Blake

​There was a game, orange played yellow, that's where this story should probably end... BUT it doesn't.

The Gods couldn't have created a finer day for some footy, and playing on Newtown 1 came with some mandatory, inspirational pre-game chatter.

SV were slightly underestimating the Elite with their starting lineup of 7-0-0. But we thought it gentlemanly to wait until all 11 Valleains found their way out of the shadows before really hammering down. 

With half of the Valley team looking like they had stayed up all week prepping for the game, we were off. 

Some quality footy from both sides made for an entertaining first 30. Elite were keeping the pressure on with some quality plays down both wings, and mighty-ducking it through the middle of the park. 

Elite deservedly went one up, only to neglect to mark the one SV'ian camping in front of the Elite goal. 1-1.

Steve was out for some fisticuffs, Damo was shrugging off haymakers, Henry was swooping (sorry mate). Greg, determined to nab a cheeky goal from within the Elite half, unluckily only managed to chip some paint from the woodwork. 

A handful of promising leadups from Niall through the Elite backline - Magoo, Rory, Steve, Henry - and up the wings unfortunately led to nada.

With 'Tweak', 'mayweather' and 'who-even-needs-shins-anyway' leading the aggressive SV charge, the Elite were rattled. Perfect time to implement the hoof and hope tactic. SV snuck one in with a man open in front of the Elite goal; 2-1 to S... no wait, 3-1... err make that 4-1. 

The Elite backline stepped up with some solid defence late in the second half. Clem and Turkey were causing havoc down the wings and through the middle of the park, with CJ holding his own despite being swamped by yellow shirts.

Some last minute ring-in nabbed a cheeky second Elite goal to make a final score of 4-2. 

All around some quality footy was played by the Elite, with a heartening first half and final 15. Pity about that middle 30... Bring on next week huh.

2 - Tim. Solid as ever with no shortage of textbook slides - always appreciated. 
2 - Clem. Welcome back, great to have that aggressivness down the wings to keep the pressure on. 
1 - Decs. Difficult to not give this man some MVP points.
​1 - Turk. Must have played a part in almost all of Elite's attacks.