U19 PREMIER

BIG BOYD FLIES AS DECS DUMP DE LA

Old Xaverians survived a final-term surge from top-ranked De La Salle in a hotly-contested U19 clash at Waverley Oval.

In slippery conditions, both teams hit in hard from the start. With defences on top and the wind a challenge to accuracy, goals were at a premium. The visitors had a good share of the ball in the first term and their forward line appeared the more dangerous. A second goal came late to give the X-Men a narrow lead at the change.

In the second stanza, De La was held again to a solitary major, courtesy of great defensive anticipation and pressure. Xavs drew twin calicos from goal umpire Paul Connors on three occasions and went to the sheds leading by 18 points.

While the sloppy centre wicket ensured that skill levels weren’t as polished as they might have been on a drier carpet, the Red ‘n’ Blacks showed some flash in the third. The back six held firm but the front half found space and added another three big majors. At the lemons, a DLS victory seemed unlikely.

When the Stacked Decs added their ninth, the optimists were dreaming of a blow-out. However, the Bellers hit back hard, displaying the dash and distribution that had been missing for much of the afternoon. Ramming home four in a row, they gave themselves an improbable chance at victory, but big Al Spralja kicked his second after a slick bit of work, and the points belonged to the Xavs.

It was a magnificent team effort by the Red ‘n’ Blacks, exemplified by the strong and determined ruck work of Jack Boyd, who made his debut in fine style. Sam Asdagi was dangerous around the sticks, booting a match-winning quartet on a day when goals weren’t  easy.

Coach Pittonet lauded the performance of his charges against a team that had beaten them narrowly in R5. At 10 wins and 2 losses (by 1 and 3 points respectively), he has every reason to be satisfied with his team, which is soon to be strengthened by the return of several leading lights.

When the cavalry arrives, this team could be ready for another decent crack.

De La Salle          1.3-9 2.6-18 3.7-25  7.9-51

Old Xaverians 2.3-15 5.6-36 8.6-54 10.7-67

Goal Kickers: S. Asdagi 4, A. Spralja 2, Z. Hart, T. Burger, C. Whitehead, B. Christopher

Best Players: J. Boyd, D. Jones, S. Asdagi, J. Ayton-Delaney, Z. Hart, F. Crameri

U19 RESERVES

ROVERS RUN RED ‘n’ BLACKS RAGGED

Hampton Rovers, one of the competition’s power-house teams this season, took early advantage of an under-strength Xavs at Boss James today, then completed the rout with a strong four quarter performance.

Hampton Rovers 7.3-45 11.6-72 17.7-109   24.12-156

Old Xaverians          0.1-1 1.1-7  2.5-17       3.5-23

THIRDS U23

THE WILD BUNCH BELT BERNIES

With the senior teams enjoying another lay-day, Shane Healy’s team had the use of several players in need of a run. Their contributions, along with those of the more regular players, saw the Red ‘n’ Blacks romp to another big victory.

Old Xaverians 7.5-47 11.10-76  13.15-93   17.19-121

St Bernards          0.1-1    1.2-8    2.5-17      4.6-30

Goal Kickers: J. Troiani 3, J. Hewitt 2, D. O'Loughlin 2, J. Unger 2, M. Hess 2, L. Berry, C. Impala, T. Gilbert, H. Kelly, A. Browne, O. Silk

Best Players: J. Hewitt, J. Bueno, O. Silk, J. Unger, L. Berry, A. Browne

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