The final regular season round of the season saw the Brumbies derby in under 14 Boys F. Brumbies White came into the game in 2nd place, their finals place secured. For 4th placed Brumbies Blue, however, a loss would leave them relying on other results to hold their finals spot.
The game was a dour, defensive struggle early, with Cambrai Hodge finally opening the scoring for the Whites almost five minutes in, Kris Seketa following up with a driving layup. The Blues quickly responded through long jumpshots to Khulan Morris and Isaac Healey.
Playing for their season, the Blues defensive intensity was off the charts, though their exuberance occasionally saw them overplay the ball, leaving Brumbies White players open. At the other end, the Blues were not able to get Hunter Cooper - their most skilled player - going downhill as the Whites rightly focused on shutting him down.
The game stayed close through most of the first half, the class of Seketa and Foster Trinder just about keeping the scoreboard ticking over for Whites, Phoenix Dart working hard to score inside for the Blues. At the half Brumbies White lead 17-12.
It wasn't surprising that Brumbies Blue intensity dropped to start the 2nd half - they'd have struggled to keep up their pace for the entire game - which allowed Trinder to get off the chain. The athletic first year guard scored 14 of his game high 20 points in the 2nd half, ultimately proving the difference in the game.
With Seketa doing a job on Cooper, Whites turned their defensive attentions to Dart, who was keeping the Blues in it. Facing either Hodge or Noah Ranieri and seeing constant traps from Zack Harrison, Dart had to work exceptionally hard for anything he got. To the big mans credit, he pushed through to lead his team with 12 points on the afternoon.
As the game looked to be slipping away, Ballan Blue started to utilise more on ball screens, freeing up Cooper. The guard was able to start creating shots for himself and teammates, though frustratingly they were unable to convert, aside from a pair of close range shots to Healey.
A late jumpshot to Cooper and a converted three point play to Paul Karimi proved to be the Blues last shot as they went down to their club mates 25-38.
Fortunately for Brumbies Blue, results later in the afternoon saw them hold onto their finals spot. With both teams competing in the opposite halves on next weeks semi finals - and leading scorer Lachlan Prosser expected to return from injury for Ballan Blue - an all Brumbies grand final remains a possibility.
U10 Boys D (White) defeated Drummo Dragons Black: 25-6
U10 Boys D (Blue) lost to Drummo Dragons Green: 24-12
U12 Boys E lost to Saints Mavs: 12-22
U12 Boys C lost to Wildcats Gold: 35-54
U12 Girls C defeated Saints Mercury: 32-24
U14 Boys F (White) defeated Ballan Brumbies Blue: 38-25
U14 Boys F (Blue) lost to Ballan Brumbies White: 25-38
U14 Boys B defeated Wildcats Blue: 47-33
U14 Girls C defeated Celtic Tigers: 32-10
U16 Boys F lost to Saints Magic: 8-61
U16 Boys E defeated Wildcats Blue: 61-38
U16 Boys D lost to Phoenix Pirates: 28-38
U16 Boys B lost to Celtic Tigers: 33-39
U16 Girls C defeated Phoenix Gems: 26-19
U19 Boys E lost to Phoenix Cannons: 30-59
U19 Boys C lost to Phoenix Pirates: 28-53
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