‘Pies streak ends in rain

Busselton’s brand of high-octane attacking football ran into a hurdle against the Collie Eagles on Sunday at Sir Stewart Bovell Park.

A constant deluge of driving rain ensured the match was played in atrocious conditions, which suited the Eagles down to the ground in their memorable nine-point win.

The Mapgies, who were the talk of the South West Football League after their breathtaking 11-goal third term against Bunbury a week earlier, entered the clash as favourites, though many felt the heavy conditions would be tailor-made for an Eagles upset.

With heavy rain belting down, three-quarters of play during the opening term was situated on the outer side wing of the ground.

Both sides were extremely brave in applying themselves at every contest, although it was obvious early on how beneficial the weather was to the Eagles’ style of play.

Despite this, the home side hit the scoreboard first, with Brett Snook kicking his side’s first — and only — goal of the afternoon.

On the boundary line, Eagles coach Seth White was an emotional figure as he rode every disposal for and against his side.

It did not take long for the visitors to hit back, with the imposing Joe Scafidi kicking a handy reply towards the back end of the term.

Denied time and space, the home side struggled to generate their usual fluidity in the corridor, with Mitchell Tenardi and Ethan Maguire marking tightly at every stoppage.

The Magpies had several opportunities in front of goal, but they were unable to convert them, irrespective of angle or distance.

And then, against the flow, the Eagles effectively sealed their win with a goal worth the price of admission alone.

Engineering a counter-attack to perfection, the ball fell into the arms of proven stalwart Adam Bignell, who launched a 55m bomb towards the Busselton Hockey Stadium end at the 17-minute mark of the third term.

The Magpies will look to bounce back this weekend against cellar-dwellers Harvey Bulls at the Harvey Recreation Ground.

A percentage-boosting win could allow the Magpies to pinch a home semifinal.

Bounce-down for the league match is 3pm.