Chippenham: 5.2, 11.5, 15.6, 18.11 - 119
Southampton: 2.3, 4.5, 10.11, 12.15 - 87

The Chippenham Redbacks Aussie Rules side produced their best ever performance to upset reigning champions Southampton in the Southern League season opener on Saturday.

Man of the match Johnny Hope-Smith set the tone for the day with some crunching tackles and shoulder barges, really upsetting the normally smooth Titans.

In the first quarter the Redbacks started strongly in all the aerial and ground loose ball contests. Influential ruckman Lee Tarn put the first goal on the board, after a soaring mid flight catch.

This was quickly followed by smartly taken goals from agile half forwards Tom Ingall and Aaron Gale.

Debutants Lee ‘Gloves’ Ellis and Kent Kauppinen also added to the Redbacks’ physicality, with Kent also putting in some booming kicks to relieve pressure from the Titans.

Southampton responded through Todd and Warren, but Tarn and Kauppinen added further goals to stretch the lead. In the 2nd quarter Rob Kerr, Rob Fielder and Paul Conway improved their midfield effectiveness, interlinking with handballs and putting in a few shepherds to protect each other’s kicking opportunities.

This disciplined work provided goal scoring opportunities which were taken by Paul Conway, Tom Sobush, Fielder, Gale and Kerr with 2. Every time the Titans lifted their intensity, the Redbacks responded, frustrating the champions into conceding penalties.

The longer half time stoppage gave both teams a chance to regroup, but it was the Titans making their depth of experience count in the 3rd quarter. Players were getting free from their taggers on both sides and more goals were kicked.

Krischunas and Milinkovic pulled the Titans back into the contest with clever pieces of play, either setting up or scoring the goals themselves. The Redbacks also had to contend with playing a man down after Chris ‘fireman’ Matthews was sin binned for retaliation. However, the Redbacks hung on with goals from Ben Denham, Tarn, Kauppinen and Ingall.

Although concerned to have lost the 3rd quarter, the Redbacks’ superior fitness enabled them to keep a comfortable margin in front. Captain Tom Case was as inspirational as ever in defence, with Eddie Wilks and Joe Beardsmore following his example. Tarn, Kauppinen and Ingall kicked another goal each to seal the win on a superb start to the season.

Players at the Redbacks come from all around Wiltshire and further to play. For more information on fixtures and training see ChippenhamRedbacksAussieRules.co.uk for details. In an open and welcoming environment, new players (16+) and supporters are always welcome to join in this high paced, exciting sport.