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Charlie and crew belt Blacks

Old Xaverians closed their home and away account at 15-3 with a strong victory at Toorak Park. Despite a poor second term that belied their fast start, the X-Men returned after the half to give Uni Blacks a good lashing.

The omens were positive early. The Red 'n' Blacks kicked three in five minutes into the souwester and dominated the quarter. But Blacks lifted in the second term. Their relentless running which often saw their entire team in the back arc one minute and in the front arc fifteen seconds later proved a problem for the X-Men who could not escape the traffic. Such shuttling requires great energy. To do it for 100 minutes is a big ask for even professional sportspeople, and it proved too much for the Phoenix.

Xavs added five goals to one in the third term, and seven to one in the last. Once the run from the Od Xavs became purposeful, the game opened up and the speedy ball movement returned.

King Charlie kicked six and had some close misses. His cousin Hamish MacIsaac again showed courage, poise and skill. Hayden Woodhouse found the ball with regularity and added another three goals to his climbing tally. Stirling Phipps-Parsons, and later Bobby Knott, made the most of the midfield opportunities, and the defence held firm with gritty performance throughout. Makuc Mahommed played in an unfamiliar role in the back half, but his skills are building as fast as his understanding of the game and the players around him. He has turned it on at Elsternwick in the past two Septembers and looks ready to do it again.

The second-semi against Old Brighton awaits after this week's bye. The X-Men look ready to get on with the business end.

SCORES

BEST: Charlie MacIsaac, Stirling Phipps-Parsons, Charlie Knott, Makuc Mahommed, Hamish MacIsaac, Thomas Dunne

GOALS:  Charlie MacIsaac 6, Hayden Woodhouse 3, Ed Delany 2, Julian Gangi 2, Charles Holmes 2, Ben Bilston-McGillen 1, Wade Brusnahan 1, Hamish MacIsaac 1, Stirling Phipps-Parsons 1

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Round 18 proved the decider for several clubs. Old Scotch displaced Old Haileybury from the four after the Bloods had looked a finalist all year. St Bernard's upset St Kevin's at the Snakepit, which saved their their season at the the expense of Collegians, who beat De La Salle. Both those teams are headed to Premier B. Old Brighton took care of Blues under the spires. And so to the finals after a week off.

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Back in form

New coach Dan Richardson saw his twin towers nail 11 goals between them as the Magoos romped to another massive win. Stung by their losss last week to finalist Uni Blues, the Red 'n' Blacks jumped away early, producing an eight goal first term. They were 67 points to the good at the half, which might have ment cues in the rack, but not with this team

They pushed on relentlessly and added 11 goals after the long break to win it by 145. This is a team that likes to make sure of things. Oscar Duncan was again superb in the ruck and up forward. He had plenty of help.

Sterner stuff awaits with the second semi-final against St Kevin's in two weeks.

SCORES

BEST: Oscar Duncan, Hayden Troiani, Darcy Feutrill, Hugh Basset, William Egan, Jack Kennedy

GOALS: Jack Boyd 6, Oscar Duncan 5, Harrison Bell 4, Edward Kennedy 3, Nicholas Brown 1, Matt Exel l1, Hayden Troiani 1, Dan Tuddenham 1, Charlie Whitehead 1

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Scotched!

The Red 'n' Blacks came late but fell just short of Old Scotch in their season close at Camberwell. By the lemons, the Cardinals had kicked out to a 17 point lead, but Xavs scored four goals to two in the last. Xavier Austin, Ted Hansen and Tommy Trist were again in the best, with Darvy Pelz, Matt Sheehan and Lucas Bremner providing excellent support.

This frustrating injury-soaked season is over, but the future remains bright.

SCORES

BEST: Xavier Austin, Ted Hansen, Darcy Pelz, Tommy Trist, Matthew Sheehan, Lucas Bremner

GOALS:

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