Round 11: Giants, Grit & a Touch of Factor 50

It was with some trepidation I headed off to the Land of the Giant for the final day of the 2026 regular season. Smothered in Nivea factor 50, partially for sun protection, partially to hope the fragrant smell would prevent anyone sniffing out the "blood of an Englishman" - and of course missing just the tiniest part of the body meaning a burnt outer knee. Why do I bother!

The factor 50 wasn't needed (well it was for the sun) as the Giants, as one would expect were fantastic hosts once again and incredibly welcoming (thanks Stevie, John, Brownie et al for making me feel at home), and with copious amounts of water I was set.

Game 1 saw the Demons in town for the Women's Conference, with the prize for the winner a place in the Qualifying Final, whilst for the loser it was Elimination Final time.

Understandably, with a lot on the game, it was a tense encounter, with defences dominating and neither side willing to give an inch. The Demons struck the only goal of the first quarter when good work between Annie Genest and Mardi Eckert set up Jenna Hawker who fired the Demons ahead, and on the back of a couple of behinds and dominating field position they took a 1.2.8 to 0.0.0 lead into the break.

The game was a real arm wrestle with neither side able to take complete control and the Giants were back in the contest when Lexi Spokes was marched forward and slotted to reduce the deficit to just two points. The Demons though restored breathing space when a hooked Hannah Boyd effort gave them their second goal and a 2.2.14 to 1.0.6 half time advantage.

The third quarter saw the Giants on top, and a fabulous weaving run and finish by Suzi Taylor once again reduced the deficit to two points and we headed into the final period with the Demons 2.3.15 to 2.1.13 to the good, and really all to play for.

The final period saw the Demons on the front foot, keen to leapfrog the Giants, and give themselves a position in the Qualifying final and after an early behind had stretched their lead to three points, a second goal of the game by Hawker effectively sealed the game. In a close run thing getting out by a goal and some was always going to be a tough chase down, and the Demons secured a 3.4.22 to 2.1.13 win and a clash with the North London Lions.

For the Giants, defeat means an Elimination Play against the London Swans, with the silver lining being that it is on home turf next Sunday.

Thoughts are with Jess Kirkbride as she recovers from what looked a nasty collarbone injury following a collision and landing on what is effectively concrete after a period with no rain to soften the ground.

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With Hawker being the deciding factor for the Demons, the next game saw a whole gang of Hawks take the field in the Women's Premiership clash against the ladies from Sussex, as the Swans were in town. A real winner takes all with the victors into the Elimination Final and the losers potentially dropping into the Women's Conference next season.

If we thought the first game of the day was a tense tight affair, it was mere child's play to this one, where in the first quarter chances on goal were as likely as winning the lottery. The Hawks had a lot of territory and pressure but only a trio of behinds to show for their efforts, whilst for the Swans the bounce of the Sherrin robbed them of the opening goal. Chasing down a long ball the fleet footed Bea Downes was beyond the Hawks backline and baring down on goal only needing to gather the loose ball. A wicked bounce, Downes applied brakes but the Hawkettes were back and the chance gone. The Hawks led 0.3.3 to 0.0.0 at the break.

On Wimbledon ladies finals day it was advantage Swans as we move through the second quarter, although it took its time arriving, but a strike from Bella Marino, along with a behind took the Swans into the big break 1.1.7 to 0.3.3 ahead.

Were the Swans the masters of the own downfall in the third quarter, or was it the pressure exerted by the Hawks, either way the Hawks retook the lead when a bouncing ball was soccered forward and found the chasing Tess Harris who soccered it all the way home, and we went into the final period with the Hawks 1.4.10 to 1.2.8 ahead.

In such a tight game, if anybody managed to get a goal and a bit up then it was a long road back for their opponents and so it proved. Laila Lappin took a mark for the Hawks and a low ball into Kathryn Ennor saw a shot and goal on the turn, and despite their best efforts the Swans were unable to get back into the game. Full time saw the Hawks 2.5.17 to 1.2.8 winners

The Hawks now face the Wildcats in the Elimination Final, whilst the Swans are potentially looking at a drop to the Womens Conference.

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Game 3 saw the Giants up against the Reading Kangaroos in the Mens Socials, with nothing on the game bar pride, and as such we were treated to an entertaining encounter.

Almost from the kick off the Roos took the lead through Jason Bethune (apologies Jason, I was chatting with a Swan and missed both the bounce and goal), and for the next few minutes they were well on top, but unable to add anything to the scoreline, and the Giants were level with a set shot from Tom Brennan. A couple of behinds followed for the Giants, and Josh Buckle stretched their lead with a set shot in front of the sticks. It was almost worse on the stroke of quarter time for the Roos, but a stunning last ditch tackle by Nathan Grindal on Christian Passalacqua prevented the Giants from increasing their lead - even so they went in 2.3.15 to 1.0.6 ahead.

The Giants started to turn the screw in the second quarter, Joe Arthur fired home on the turn, the ball curling just inside the posts, and a set shot from wide on the right by Jayden Williams gave them more breathing space. For the Roos a late Bethune shot curled just the wrong side of the posts and the Giants went in 4.6.30 to 1.2.8 ahead.

The Roos launched a brave counter punch in the third period. Adam Bennett converted from just inside the 50 to give them hope, and although Passalacqua restored the Giants lead, it was all Roos in the quarter. A fizzed ball from Simon Royle into Andrew Whiteaker saw a great mark and goal, and after a huge bomb by Damian McRae, despite the heat it came down with snow on it, wasn't dealt with by the Giants backline, the ball was flicked out to Bethune who scored on the run, and coming into the fourth quarter the lead had cut to 12 points. The Giants going in 5.8.38 to 4.2.26 ahead.

That was as close as it got for the Roos as a dominant final period at both ends saw the Giants score four more themselves whilst shutting out the Roos. After early quarter pressure, Mark Tuazon scored from the right and a Beau Edwards fired home a set shot. The Giants continued to dominate, Lincoln Powley added another, with Buckle completing the scoring from a set shot and that was that.

The Giants recorded a 9.10.64 to 4.2.26 win.

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Finally it was the Sussex Swans against the Aubergine Machine in the Mens Socials, with the Swans needing a win to get into the Finals.

The Swans made a bright start with Joe Moore finding Cameron Jones who scored on the run to give the Swannies the perfect start. The Hawks response was instant, Angus Blair launched a ball into the goal square - lets be fair it was a goal until Mitch Bloomfield stepped in and gathered the loose ball a yard out and scored- and ran off giggling (Bloomfield is one of those players I love watching, irritating, infuriating, a pain in the .... and that's just from his friends, but plays with a smile and no little talent). Blair then slapped one home from wide and the Hawks led. The Swans notched again at the end of the quarter through Moore and we went in with the Swans 2.3.15 to 2.0.12 up

From a close first quarter it was a second quarter blitz by the Swans who outscored the Hawks 27 points to seven. From the bounce a long ball was played forward, Moore missed the mark but Pat Wilson gathered off the deck and poked home. Mick Tierney then intercepted a Hawks clearance and fired home to stretch the Swans lead. Brendan Moldrich responded with a set shot wide right for the Hawks to give them some hope, but they were soon back on the back foot. Moore took a mark wide, but with most people expecting a shot he crashed one across the face of goal, before a misplaced Bloomfield clearance was gathered by Steven Welton who jinked passed a couple of challenges to score from close range. The final goal of the period came off the boot of James Sutton, who reacted quickly to a loose ball and the Swans went in 6.6.42 to 3.1.19 ahead.

It was a spirited third quarter by the Hawks who threatened an unlikely comeback. A set shot from Moldrich reduced the arrears, and although Travis Jackman fired home for the Swans neat link up by Richard Beal and Blair got the Hawks going again and when Mitch Wilkes scored again after good work by Myles Hudson, and the Swans lead was back to just ten points at three quarter time, 7.6.48 to 6.2.38

The final quarter saw the Swans dominate, Welton fired home a shot on the turn and Jackman smothered a Hawks clearance, collected the bouncing ball and fired home to give a final score of 9.9.63 to 6.2.38 to the finals bound Swans.

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So a great day of footie at the Rye, four thrilling games, and thoughts with all four players who headed off to A & E after injuries in the game. Big thanks to Morgan and Maisey for their efforts looking after the players.

Elsewhere and there was a triple header at Chiswick between the West London Wildcats and the London Swans, with the Cats Men's Premiership side entertaining the North London Lions.

Opening the day was the Women's Conference and a tight encounter saw the Wildcats jump to a 1.1.7 to 0.0.0 lead over the Swans at quarter time. The Swans came roaring back in the second quarter and a goal and two behinds saw them take a 1.2.8 to 1.1.7 lead into the big break.

In a topsy turvey encounter the Wildcats struck back with the only goal of the third quarter and for the third consecutive quarter one side shut the other out. Going into the final period it was the Cats 2.1.13 to 1.2.8 ahead. Keeping up the nature of the day it was the Swans who fought back in the final period and a goal and three behinds saw them record a 2.5.17 to 2.3.15 win.

On target for the Swans were Tori Long and Lois Aspinall; with Lucy Gardner and Georgina Pulsford responding for the Cats.

Next up was the Women's Premiership game and a much needed morale boosting win for the Wildcats who put more points on the Swans than anyone else has this season.

A tight opening quarter gave no indication of what was to follow, as the Swans edged the scoreboard 1.3.9 to 1.0.6. It was the middle section of the game that saw the Wildcats blow the game wide open.

In the second quarter three Cats goals compared to just one for the Swans saw the Cats take a 4.2.26 to 2.4.16 lead into the big break.

The Cats continued to dominate and on the back of three goals and a solid defensive performance they stretched their lead out to 31 points going in 7.6.48 to 2.5.17 ahead at three quarter time. Another goal whilst keeping the Swans scoreless saw the Cats run out 8.11.59 to 2.5.17 winners.

On target for the Wildcats were Isabella Tuttle and Iona Williams with two each and one each for Sarah Vague, Angie Wang Hartmann, Jamie Symons and Emma Davis; with Alexis Smith replying with a couple for the Swans.

It hasn't been the Cats best season, and for the first time in a while they will be in the Elimination Final, but this is an ominous sign for the the title hopefuls.

Game 3 and with no disrespect intended it was probably the most predictable of all the games at Chiswick, and once again the league leaders topped the 100 point mark (for the fourth time in six games)

The Swans flew out of the blocks (see what i did there) as they always do, and six goals saw them take a 31 point into the first quarter break, leading 6.1.37 to 1.0.6 lead. The second quarter saw the Swans ease up but another three goals saw the Raiders put out of the game and the sides went in at the big break with the Swans 9.4.58 to 2.0.12 ahead.

Quarter 3 was a much tighter affair, with the Swans adding just the one goal and the Raiders hanging in their defensively and we went into the final period with the Swans 10.8.68 to 2.1.13 ahead. If anyone thought the cue was on the rack for the Swans they were sadly disappointed as another five goals saw them surpass the 100 points mark.

On target for the Swans were Reed Jepson with five, Michael Batten, Josh Kemp and Fergus Lappin with three each and one for Matthew Caddeo; replying for the Cats were Ben Collins and Noah Crosling.

Finally, in the Men's Premiership the Wildcats picked up a morale boosting win over the North London Lions. The Cats were off to a bright start, and four goals in the opening period gave them a 4.0.24 to 1.2.8 lead, and they held off a massive Lions fightback to take a 5.1.31 to 4.3.27 lead into the big break.

That fightback was as good as it got for the Lions as the Wildcats shut them out for the rest of the game. Two goals in the third quarter stretched the lead to 18 points and another fourth quarter goal gave the Cats a 8.7.55 to 4.3.27 win.

On target for the Wildcats were Isaac Kenna with four, Nathan Janes with two and Joshua Dawe and Jeremy Christianopoulos with one each, whilst for the Lions it was a Daniel Beddison double and one each for Joseph Hermann and Sam Middleton.

So where does that leave us as we head off into the Finals.

Saturday and its effectively a London Swans and Wandsworth Demons day trip to Reading, where the sides clash in Men's Conference, Men's Socials and Womens Premiership Qualifying Finals. For the victors a week off to rest and recover ahead of the Grand Final, for the losers, another chance in the Preliminary Final.

In the Men's Conference the Swans will be looking to make it three wins from three against the Demons, although the Dees 32 point defeat last time the sides met was the closest anyone got to the Swans.

The Men's Socials was a thrilling division, with the top four, all having 20 points and the Swans came out on top of the pile. When the two sides met the Demons ran out winners by 16 points.

The Women's Premiership was another tight run contest, with the top two seperated by percentage, and the Cats just four points back. The Qualifying final pits the Dees and Swans together both sides having recorded a win apiece in the two regular seasons games.

The other Qualifying Final is in the Women's Conference, and although the Demons are there, this time their opponents are the table topping North London Lions. The Lions have done the double over the Demons during the regular season

On Sunday its the Elimination Finals at Peckham Rye, where defeat ends the season, and victory sees the winner advance to the Preliminary Final.

In the Men's Conference, the Wimbledon Hawks are up against the Shepherds Bush Raiders, the Hawks having done the double over the Raiders this season.

The Men's Socials sees the Sussex Swans take on the Ealing Emus, the Swans edged the Emus in a thriller at Waterhall just a couple of weeks ago.

In the Women's Premiership its the Wildcats against the Wimbledon Hawks, the Cats have done the double over the Hawks this season, but the last game between the sides was a tight affair.

The Women's Conference sees the South East London Giants up against the London Swans. The Giants have done the double over the Swans in the regular