Sport
1 July, 2026
Seagulls too strong for Bombers
AFTER leading by seven points at three-quarter time, Cobden went down to Port Fairy by 19 points in the round 11 Hampden League senior football match on Saturday.
The Seagulls kicked six final quarter goals to the Bombers’ one in their 16.6.102 to 12.11.83 win at the Cobden Community Bank Recreation Reserve.
The win sees Port Fairy join Cobden on two wins and nine losses for the season; Cobden ahead on percentage in eighth place on the ladder.
Matthew Kemp, Archie Taylor, Lachie Davis, Kurtis Baker, Paul Pekin and Louis Darcy were best for Cobden in the loss, with Baker kicking three goals and Kemp and Michael Koroneos two each.
The Hampden League has a week off this weekend, with Cobden’s next game on July 11 against Terang Mortlake at Terang.
The reserves match saw Cobden record a 7.16.58 to 4.0.24 win to retain second spot on the ladder.
Best for the Bombers in the win were Thomas Roberts, Sam Darcy, Ash Rosolin, Lachlan Rosolin, Edward Delaney and Kayleb Bignell, with Ryan Mottram the only multiple goal kicker with two.
In the under 18s, Port Fairy scored an 11.12.78 to 3.6.24 win.
Lennie Walsh, Micah Darcy and Jock Dean were the Bombers best, with Darcy, Dean and Cooper Unwin kicking a goal each.
In the under 16s at Port Fairy on Sunday, the home team had a big 86 point win, 11.22.88 to 0.2.2.
Ace Roberts, Archie White and Will Darcy were best for Cobden in the loss.
Cobden scored a 10.4.64 to 5.4.34 win in the under 14 football.
Fletcher White, Jed Watson and Clem Walsh were best for the Bombers, with Charlie Dunn kicking three goals, with White, Watson and Walsh kicking two each.
In the under 12s, Port Fairy scored a dominant 12.13.85 to 0.0.0 win.
Memphis Roberts, Oscar Davis and Carter Murfett were the junior Bombers best in the loss.
The Open netball also saw Cobden register a crucial 44-32 win over third placed Port Fairy.
“It was a really important win,” Cobden coach Nadine McNamara said.
“We were disappointed in our performance the first time against Port Fairy, so we knew we had a lot of work to do before we met them again, and we were really pleased to see the work and effort that everyone’s put in come together on the day.”
Cobden’s first half was pivotal in the win, leading 14-10 at quarter time, before a big second term saw the Bombers out to a 29-14 lead at half time.
“We had spoken about being really pleased with our result against South Warrnambool (the 54-40 loss the week before), and I think for years when we play South Warrnambool, we bring a level of intensity and concentration, and we really wanted to try and replicate that against Port Fairy because we felt we’re a bit inconsistent in our intensity in those really important matches.
“So the girls came out really focused, and everyone knew their role, and they executed really well that second quarter.
“I felt like we were really dynamic with our ball movement and were really precise with what we were trying to achieve.”
Jess Bouchier shot 17 goals and was best on court for the Bombers in the win.
“This is Jess Boucher’s first really full Open season, and she’s done a lot of work to build her fitness and her capacity, and she’s come up against some really quality opposition in the past two weeks in (South Warrnambool’s) Jenna O'Connor and Maddie Green on the weekend, she’s done a lot of work and seen a lot of growth.
“So we’re really pleased with how her game’s developing and her contribution to the team.”
Alicia Blain and McNamara were also named in the Bombers best.
“It was Alicia’s third game for the season. She played round one and then last week and this week; she’s been injured and also travelled around in Europe, so it was really nice to see her fitness prevail this week, she brings a real competitive nature to our side.
“She runs down every ball and is not afraid of a contest, so I think she sets the tone for our mid-court when she’s been available for us, she really leads those younger mid courters.”
Cobden goes into the break in fifth place, just four points behind third placed Port Fairy.
“We’re really pleased with where we’re sitting, obviously we’re disappointed by those first couple of losses in the first three rounds, so beating Port Fairy puts us in a position to keep contesting to finish third.
“It’s going to be a really difficult ask, there’s lots of quality sides, there’s not a whole lot that separates third to sixth at the moment, which is making some really exciting games and some really good netball.”
Port Fairy got the points in division one with a 45-26 win.
Sarah Moroney, Jess Walsh and Isabelle Hutt were best for the Bombers, with Steph Mahony shooting 19 goals.
The division two game saw a 29-27 win to Port Fairy.
Anna Hinkley, Maddison Clifford and Maggie Conheady were the Bombers best in the loss.
The match marked the 100th senior game for mid-courter Jess Anderson.
In division three, Cobden had a tight 32-31 win.
Mia McVilly, Caitlyn Mahony and Tonya Spokes were the Bombers best, with Spokes and Marley Howard shooting 16 goals each.
The 17 and under game saw Port Fairy have a 30-28 win.
Hannah Robertson, Sarah Bridges and Marley Howard were best for Cobden, with Robertson shooting 20 goals and Howard 10.
The 17 and under reserves match saw Cobden have a 22-15 win.
Elizabeth Dennis, Ayrli Baxter and Ava Bonner were the Bombers best, with Bonner shooting 13 goals and Chloe Anderson nine.
The 15 and under netball saw Cobden score a 35-22 win.
Dekohda Baxter, Zaya Howard and Etti Glennen were best for Cobden, with Charlotte Dean shooting 19 goals.
Cobden won the 15 and under reserves 16-13.
Olivia Halliday, Amelia Katsaros and Bridie Roberts were best for the Bombers, with Katsaros scoring nine goals.
The 13 and under netball saw a big 45-5 win to Cobden.
Mahli Baxter, Zahlia Hill and Taja Delaney-Hutchins were best for the Bombers, with Zahlia Hill shooting 22 goals.
Port Fairy scored a 19-16 win in the 13 and under reserves netball.
Charlotte Phillips and Ella Davis were best for the junior Bombers, with Ruby Glennen shooting seven goals and Nardia Ferrari five.
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