Scores: Old Xaverians: 20 – 25 – 145 def. Peninsula: 8 – 9 – 57

Round 1 couldn’t come quick enough for the budding young stars of the Under 19 2’s and familiar surroundings of Elsternwick Park was the venue for the clash against Peninsula on a very warm April afternoon.

Aided by the breeze in the first quarter, the lads got off to a great start having high amounts of scoring chances thru hard work in the middle of the ground and round the stoppages. Inaccurate kicking didn’t help our cause and the scoreboard didn’t reflect the dominance the Xavs had in the first quarter. Matt Vlahos was great, chiming in with a couple of majors.

The second started fairly with a lot of ball ups and tight in and under play with neither team able to break clear or gain momentum. Nick Campese and Tom Pane were at their rugged best in these packs. But as the quarter got older, the Xavs binded together and worked hard into the wind with picturesque link up play along the broad ‘wick’ wings with Josh Bosnar and Anthony Hachem staring in those positions. The boys were rewarded for their hard work with a 9 goal half time lead.

After a bit of a pep talk and a breather, the Xavs didn’t let up on the visitors and pilled on the pressure in the 3rd quarter to put the game to bed in a matter of minutes. Breaking the lines and hitting targets was a feature and the forwards began to slot them from all corners. Matt Adams marked his territory plucking many a grab and kicking truly throughout the second half to bring up a ‘Michelle’ of goals.

As the game began to slow a fraction, the boys were doing their bit to help the percentage head north with Liam Rogan rebounding brilliantly at half back and Will Ralph the quarterback there also.

When the final siren blew, everyone involved were relieved and happy to get the first win out of the way in what shapes as an exciting year ahead.