With the Bristol Dockers unable to secure a ground due to many Bristol Rugby clubs re-seeding or not understanding that Australian Rules football does less damage to a pitch than an under 9 rugby match, the match was played at Chippenham.

Playing into a strong breeze, the Redbacks started confidently around the contests and delivered a decent amount of ball forward. Pete Woodall marked strongly and got the first couple of goals on the board, one from a ridiculous angle. The Dockers have some fine ball players around the middle and created a number of chances themselves, taking 6 goals in the first two quarters. Still, the hitouts of Kauppinen were nearly reaching Pete Woodall at full forward and with Tarn tapping ‘all around the clock’, Rory Auld, Rob Fielder, Liam Ralph and Johnny Hope-Smith all benefited from plenty of opportunities to get the handballs going. The systems of play the Redbacks have been working on started to show fruition and the ball was kept in motion at every opportunity. Ralph, Kauppinen, Tarn and Auld joined the goal scoring in the second quarter, the ball at times going through a large number of hands.

The last two quarters began with new players Jacques Gernonn-Reidy and Luke Thomson right in the middle of the action. Thomson kicked a fine goal and created two opportunities for Woodall and Moulton with some fine pressure on his opponent. Gernonn-Reidy ran his legs off all afternoon in defence and won a fair share of free kicks from good tackles. The Redbacks defence of Mitchell Curtis, Luke Cottis and Chris Matthews took control, Curtis particularly hitting hard in the tackle at any opportunity. Vice captain Cottis organised things from the back and Matthews was often found in the right place at the right time, really pleasing for the coach to see the development.

Phil Moulton got a couple of smart goals in the latter stages and much of the scoring was shared around with 12 goals shared between the midfield playmakers. Woodall had the final word with his strong marking and powerful left boot sealing a big win in the local derby.

Incredibly fun training at Chippenham every Thursday at 7pm, come and join the growing ladies and junior development programme, mini’s now at 6.30pm Thursday.

Redbacks goal scorers: Pete Woodall 7, Phil Moulton 2, Lee Tarn 4, Rory Auld 4, Liam Ralph 4, Kent Kauppinen 4, Luke Thomson 1

Final scores
Redbacks – 26.19.175
Bristol Dockers - 9.7.61