The following article was written by Corey Irwin.

The second game was a true heavyweight bout, as the two remaining undefeated teams, the LA Swans and the OC Bombers, squared off.

As the first quarter started, the Bombers came out with a charge. Continually winning the ball through the middle, OC was able to push the ball down their end of the field. Ruckman Andrew Treanor teamed up with Brad “Bradels” Wetherall in consistently winning the taps and hitting the forwards with strong leading kicks. Forwards Mike “Hershey” Herstein and Chris “Macca” McNeil were the beneficiaries of the strong mid-field play, as they converted several of their opportunities for goal. Initially stunned, LA would make the necessary adjustments to make a small push of their own. At the end of the quarter the score would stand OC 5 goals, 5 behinds (total 35) to LA 2 goals, 1 behind (total 13).

The second quarter saw a much more focused Swans team on the field. Nowhere was this more obvious than in the defensive line, where Andy “Big Country” Lindsey, Adam Howarth, and Justin “Deep End” Ivey were able to lock down on the formidable Bomber attack. The LA side did suffer a tough blow halfway through the frame when Ivey went down with an ankle injury, but Timothy “Frenchie” Legere came in off the sidelines and filled in admirably in defense. This was obvious on the scoreboard, as the Bombers were able to manage only 1 goal and 2 behinds in the frame. Coming out from retirement, Steve “Tunks” Turner and Jason Bottrell were able to get some good touches in the Swans forward line, but the Orange County defense continued their strong play, allowing only 2 goals and 2 behinds. At the half the score would read OC Bombers 6 goals, 7 behinds (total 43) to the LA Swans 4 goals, 3 behinds (total 27).

With both teams still very much in the game, the third quarter proved to be much more physical than it’s predecessors. With each possession of the ball being so crucial, neither team gave an inch. Stand out players included Janni Mirosevich and Steve Cliff of the Swans, who seemed to put their body on the line for every mark and touch of the ball available to them. On the other side, Mark “Bruiser” Larson played his own brand of hard, tough nose footy, while Brad “Bradels” Wetherall continued to rack up possessions of play. Due to the nature of play on the field, neither side was able to truly pull away, as OC managed 1 goal and 5 behinds, to LA’s 1 goal, 3 behinds.

The fourth quarter would see the intensity continue to rise. Knowing they had some ground to make up, the Swans came out hard on offense. With Cliff and Mirosevich working the ball through the middle, LA was able to get some good scoring opportunities early on. With the first two goals of the quarter going to LA, the match became a virtual tie. Seeing their lead start to slip, the Bombers stepped up their game. The defense, featuring a rotation of KB and Kelly Nelson, Ryan Lorseyedi, and Mark Larson, were able to limit the clean touches of the Swans forward line. Up front, McNeil and Herstein again found their range, kicking decisive goals down the stretch. The physicality of the game reached it’s peak late in the quarter when the Swans’ Andy “Big Country” Lindsey, who had moved from the back line to the ruck, suffered a broken nose and had to leave the field. When all was said and done the Bombers had scratched out a hard fought victory.

OC Bombers: 10 goals, 16 behinds Total: 76

LA Swans: 7 goals, 8 behinds Total: 50

OC Goal Scorers: Mike “Hershey” Herstein (4), Chris “Macca” McNeil (3), Andrew Treanor (2), Daniel Stevenson

LA Goal Scorers: Jason Bottrell (3), Steve Cliff (2), Janni Mirosevich, Steve “Tunks” Turner

OC Best On Ground: Brad “Bradels” Wetherall
Others Receiving Votes: Chris “Macca” McNeil, Mike “Hershey” Herstein, Andrew Treanor

LA Best on Ground: Steve Cliff
Others Receiving Votes: Janni Mirosevich, Adam Howarth, Jason Bottrell

This week’s games were by far the most intense, competitive, and hard fought of any this SCAFL season. In both games, veterans and rookies alike seem to be finding their game and then taking it to the next level. This bodes well for the coming rounds, as we can only anticipate more of the same from each respective club. Thanks to the fans who came out in support on Sunday. To the players: rest, recuperate, and get ready for round 4 in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 30.