Before the game the players, umpires and officials of both clubs lined up for a minute’s silence for Anzac Day and then Bill Ehmcke, president of the Meningie RSL, tossed the coin for the start of the match.

Meningie kicked to the lake end with the assistance of a three goal breeze, but it was Tailem who goaled first through Josh Herbert after three minutes.

Some classy play from Robert Payne to Josh Robertson who found Luke Trevorrow leading out gave Meningie its first major at the five-minute mark.

Tailem got right on top at that stage but couldn’t impact on the scoreboard, Brad Bell took the mark of the day and passed off to Matthew Dent but he missed. Meningie’s Chris O’Hara was concussed after hitting his head on the ground and play was held up for a while.

This sparked Meningie into gear with Jack Lewis at centre half forward starting to dominate, but the Bears too missed a lot of chances until a late soccer goal by Mark Turner just before quarter time.

The second quarter opened with some hard football being played.

All the players were contesting strongly before Meningie slammed on three goals with Lewis having a hand in all of them.

Dent had an immediate impact as he kicked a good long goal and the even contest resumed.

A very soft after disposal free kick was paid, resulting in a goal to Tailem which saw them draw level and another late goal gave Tailem the lead at half time by four points.

The scores at half time were Meningie 5-9 to Tailem 6-7.

The arm wrestle resumed in the third term with no goals scored until a clever soccer goal was kicked by the Eagles’ Steven Thomas after 10 minutes.

Meningie lost Payne and Robertson to injury and this really hurt them and despite having a fair share of the ball they could not find an avenue to goal.

A late goal to Tailem saw the quarter close with the Eagles enjoying a handy 15-point lead and coming home with the breeze at their backs.

Meningie was disappointing only managing four points for the quarter.

Tailem Bend got right on top in the ruck and won everything around the packs and piled on the goals in the first half of the last term.

Adam Wilkey and Noel Hartman all saw plenty of the ball as Thomas and Ben Hansen finished off the work up forward.

Two late consolation goals saw Meningie narrow the margin but Tailem ran out deserving winners 13-17 to 7-13.

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IN an inspiring tribute to the courage of Australian men and women who fought to defend our country, an Anzac day ceremony was held before the start of the A grade match between Mypolonga and Mannum on Friday.

League and reserve players, coaches and team personnel formed a guard of honour, with Roger Head playing the last post and Sergeant Major Terry Nolan, from the Mypolonga RSL, reading the Ode of Remembrance.

The crowd stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect before singing the Australian national anthem led by students from the Mypolonga Primary School.

This was an important game for Mypolonga to win as they were keen to perform well for the numerous past players, supporters and members who had gathered for the 80th anniversary of the club.

Mypo came out firing, recording the first two goals through Brad Martin and George Pedler.

The Tigers got ball quickly out of the centre through Joel Eckermann, Caine Lynn (making a welcome return to the Tigers) and Joe Pedler.

Mannum were then able to score a major with a goal to Daniel Smith.

A strong tackle by James Pedler resulted in a free to Mypo, who kicked to Lynn, then on to Travis Simmons.

Mypo’s Cameron Wells received the ball and sent it to their forward line where a free to Mannum’s Adam Nitschke was paid.

He kicked back to centre where both teams fought hard to get possession.

A free kick to Mannum’s Danny Walker was marked by team-mate Chris Rudiger.

His kick resulted in a goal.

Back at the centre bounce Mannum cleared the ball through Brad Wakefield with Jarrad Woodward marking, and kicking a goal to keep the Roos in touch.

Both teams were playing fast, tough football, with the ball going up and down the oval.

Neither team were able to capitalise until Wells kicked a goal for Mypo after a handball from Sam Flinn.

At quarter time Mypo led a close game 3.4 to 3.3.

Mypo started the second quarter well with George Pedler clearing the centre.

His pass to Scott Menegetti then resulted in a goal by Lynn.

Mannum’s Todd Boughen kicked into the forward lines, which resulted in a turnover by Ashley Martin.

He cleared the ball to Lynn who assisted Brendan Corrie in kicking a goal.

Mannum replied through Nigel Reichstein.

He kicked a goal ensuring an even scoreline.

Neither team could break away to create a lead.

At the next centre bounce Mypo won the tap, with the ball finding the chest of Joe Pedler.

He did not let the team down, scoring a major.

Mannum cleared the next centre bounce through Ben Quinn, but neither team could pick up the ball cleanly.

Mypo’s Lynn kicked back to centre where it see-sawed between both sides.

Mannum’s Shane Harte soccered the ball off the ground for their next goal.

Mannum scored again through Boughen after a pass from Nitschke.

Another goal to Mannum’s Maloney was kept the large crowd on its toes as neither team could gain ascendancy.

Mypo pegged one back with a clever kick by Flinn, who put the ball through the goals to retain Mypos lead at half-time.

The third quarter was won by Mypolonga when they kicked five goals to Mannum’s two.

Mannum kicked nine points in the quarter, which really let them down.

Their inaccuracy cost them a chance of a win.

Mypo’s Brad Martin kicked three goals, with one to Lynne and George Pedler.

Mannum’s goals came from Boughen and Woodward.

At three quarter time Mypo had a handy lead 12.8 to 9.13.

Mypo were determined to win to top off a great weekend.

Two quick goals to Joe Pedler and Wells was the start Mypo wanted, but Mannum were determined to not lie down.

Mannum’s Harte cleared the ball after the centre bounce, kicking it to Sarno and onto Smith, who goaled.

Lynne finished off his great return match to Mypo, by kicking two more goals.

Two goals to Joe Pedler and one to David Wallfried sealed the game for Mypo.

Quinn and Woodward were able to give Mannum a stronger finish as they kicked another goal each.

The end result saw Mypo run out winners 19.14 to 13.15, retaining the Armfield, Noble, Martin Cup.

The heritage jumpers worn by the Mypo players on the day were auctioned on Saturday night and will take pride of place in many homes.

Best players for Mypo were Caine Lynn, Mark Oborn, Daniel Kelly, Joel Eckermann and John Oxborrowm while Mannum’s best were Ben Quinn, Brad Wakefield, Justin Maloney, Chris Rudiger and Shane Harte.

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UNDER lights at Johnstone Park, Imperials accounted for arch rivals Ramblers by 13 points to win back the Cawte/Norrish Cup.

Playing in cold, wintry conditions, Imperials controlled the opening of the game with both sides sorting each other out.

The opening quarter was sloppy as greasy conditions made it difficult for either midfield to play clean football.

Ramblers centre half forward Ryan Morris was well held for the first half by Ben Quast but was able to score his first goal for the quarter from a great long range goal.

Tom Hines was proving to be a livewire in the Imperials forward line and after spinning around opponents was able to extend his sides lead to seven points.

Late goals to Ramblers kept the margin tight with Imperials holding on to a one point margin.

Ramblers began the second term strongly with Ryan Viney showing the way for his side and it resulted in goals to Luke Button and captain Mark Marchetti.

With Ramblers on the attack Imperials responded with Shaun Day putting his side back in front as Ryan Eyre was proving pivotal across the backline, helping the Blues maintain an eight point lead at half-time.

In the third quarter Morris stamped his authority on the game as a clever coaching move to the goal square changed the flow of the game.

Imperials’ Ash Temby was able to help his side out, but two quick goals to Morris closed the margin.

Ramblers Greg Stevens was trying to lift his side with strong runs along the wings and when Morris booted his third for the term, the Roosters had closed the margin to within one goal.

With a seven point lead, heading into the last quarter, Imperials’ Martin Ballie stole the show with three early goals to make the task even harder for Ramblers.

A courageous effort by Ramblers Liam O’Neil closed the gap and when Morris slotted another goal, the margin was down to three goals.

Morris finished the game with two late goals to bring his tally to eight as Imperials kept their undefeated season in tact.

The night game was a success for Imperials both on and off the field with a large, boisterous crowd braving the conditions.