Bill Turner Cup Game v Karabar, AIS Synthetic Field, Thursday 10 June.

The JPC boys are champions of the Southern NSW / ACT area of the Bill Turner Cup with a comprehensive victory over Queanbeyan’s Karabar High on Thursday. Playing in front of the biggest crowd of proud parents yet, the boys faced off on a very cold and almost snowy day, attempting to emulate the exploits of JPC’s 2018 team in reaching the Inter-area playoffs in Albury.

JPC played fast and composed football, with clever passing through the midfield creating plentiful chances. The quick interplay was a delight to watch with Josh, Will and Pat Rowley regularly troubling their defenders early in the game with their smooth play and crisp passing.

JPC Keeper Gabe was a lonely figure as Karabar barely had the ball or entered JPC’s half. Tana and Joe controlled the midfield with their defence – harrying, tracking and tackling the Karabar boys into submission and Ryan, Noah, Harry, Cadel, Conor and Charlie not only quickly shut down Karabar’s potential attacks but made decisive runs for and excellent passes to the midfield.

JPC’s dominance of possession was rewarded when some excellent passing between the forwards and a great cross from Josh M led to a well taken goal at the far post by Pat Rowley. Pat doubled his tally later in the half to give JPC a 2-0 lead at halftime.

With the job not done yet, the boys were warned against complacency at halftime. The continued effort and energy of the boys paid dividends in the second half with Pat’s cracking shot crashing into the top corner to give him a well-deserved hat-trick and a great finish from Josh giving JPC a comfortable 4-0 lead. Goals from hard running striker Toby Robson and debutant Cadel put a large buffer between the teams. The final goal from skipper Joe – a cracking shot that swirled and dipped into the corner shot about 30 yards out - after a slaloming run from Harry Rowley from the back, was the icing on the cake in the 7-0 thrashing.

Well done to all the boys for their effort and sublime play, with the starters supported well by Mr Utility Anakin, Super-Sub and JPC’s favourite closer, back up keeper Edan and Shrey ‘fast feet’ Patel.

Next STOP – Albury and the round of 32!

Matt Caldow
Leader of Wellbeing – Kennedy House