BOMBERS WIN IN THRILLING SEMI-FINAL

Laval Bombers    2.2   5.7     7.9     14.12  (96)

Montreal Saints   5.2   7.5   10.11   13.12  (90)

Goals-Bombers: D.Barker 6, L.Anderson 3, D.Haverhoek 2, A.Huggett 1, L.Belzie 1, D.Wilson 1.

Saints: M.Lacy 6, M.Morin 5, R.Shuaghnessy 2

The 2010 ECAFL season had been one of highs and lows for all teams, but heading into the cut throat semi-final one statistic had been constant, the Saints had yet to topple the Laval Bombers all season. The Bombers were as close to full strength as they could hope. The only absentees would be the retired former premiership coach/full-forward Shane Blight and versatile ruckman/defender Renaud Carbonnel who had missed the entire season with a lower body injury. The Saints welcomed back Mick Lacy but the losses of Heath and Ferreri had created a massive void through the midfield, one Kyle Graham had filled to perfection. But the Saints wouldn't have the luxury of the Canadian sensation in the squad come game time, the last minute inclusion of Ronan Shaughnessy a godsend for the Montreal team.

The siren sounded to start the 2010 Finals series, prize for the winner - a spot at premiership glory.

The Saints won the early ball and the first battle of minds by playing spearhead Mat Wilson as a defensive midfielder. The move relied heavily on the Saints finding another target up forward, Mick Lacy was the nominated man but it was his sidekick Mark 'Slim Shady' Morin who would steal the show. Morin had kicked just two goals for the entire season but in a career best performance #88 duck weaved his way to three first quarter goals, Lacy would add two and the Saints equalled an ECAFL record opening term by kicking 5.2 to lead the Bombers by 18 points.

The Saints had benefited from a slight breeze in the first. The Bombers were eager to square the ledger and on the back of midfielders Stark and Haverhoek went about doing just that. The Bombers rising to the challenge controlled the play but with Wilson and 'Smash' Gasperino partolling the Saints backline were unable to capatilize on their good work. Bomber goal sneak Daniel Barker slotted two for the quarter and Dave Wilson one but the 5 behinds to the Bombers were a sign of wasted opportunities. The Saints countering with Mick Lacy's third of the afternoon and Shaughnessy's first to maintain the lead heading into half-time 10 points up.

The Premiership quarter. Huggett had been galant against Saints towering ruckman Wood while Aimee Legault had proved a livewire for the Saints midfield thus far. Wood continued the good work in the third and began working forward and presenting as a target. The Saints dominated the quarter with 9 scoring shots to 4, but like the Laval team the previous quarter were unable to gain maximum effect on the scoreboard. Morin added goal numbers 4 and 5 for the day and Lacy number 4 but the Saints but of the 9 shots those were the only three that were majors. Anderson and Haverhoek registering goals for the Bombers and giving the reigning premiers an outside chance, the Saints 10.11 (71) leading the Bombers 7.9 (51) at the last change.

The Bombers knew with the wind at their backs in the final term anything was possible. Every player for both teams lifted their intensity as the game resembled two champion boxers, out on their feet trading blows. The quarter began to mirror the past two as the team with the breeze controlled a majority of the play. The difference only being that this time the Bombers were scoring goals instead of behinds. While the Saints avenue to goal had been dominated by two players the red and black army embraced and all-out attack. And it was working. A flurry of quick goals brought the Bombers to within a kick, and after a miracle Barker goal from hard up in the right hand pocket the Bombers had a sniff of a come from behind victory. Huggett, Belzie, Anderson, Barker and Haverhoek would all score goals for the Bombers in the all out assault, 7 goals in total snatching a 6 point lead late in the match from the Saints who had managed three, once again through Lacy and Morin. The siren brought to a close one of the best ECAFL matches ever played, the Bombers scraping home in sensational fashion by a single goal.