July 20, 2024
CLOUDS CLEARING?
Week 14: Blue skies for some
A Century of the Red & Black
Old Xaverians banked their 70th victory of the season from 95 starts when the Under 23s rolled over Uni Blues at Toorak Park last night.
Earlier, two very narrow defeats cost the Claret and Stout a perfect day, but all is well as the King's Birthday bye is with us.
Old Xaverians won their third straight when they beat St Bernard's at Toorak Park. The victory was fuelled by two super-charged performances near the sticks. Ed Delany, with his towering marks and aggressive attacks on ball and body, booted three in the opening term and then another three in the second stanza. He finished the day with 6.2 after bootig 2.6 last week. Stirling Phipps-Parsons, who has usually featured in the team's first quarter scorers, drew a blank in the first term. Not to be denied, the Preacher slotted an impossible goal from the pavilion pocket, and on his return after the long break, went berserk. He put through five goals in the third term as the home team locked away a certain victory.
The Snow Dogs thoroughly outplayed the X-Men in the final term and squandered several percentage points. As a result, they reamin fifth on the ladder when third place might have been theirs. Still, a win is a win. The defence was solid, though put under some severe pressure, not always applied by the opposition. Julian Gangi played another blinder, Marcus Stavrou played his best for the year and Shaun Cross and Dan Tuddenham were in everything.
Dan Donati's team has clawed its way back back to 5-3, with plenty of challenges and improvements ahead. This win over Bernies showed them at their best in periods, though lapses in concentration and discipline brought about some ordinary moments.
Ahead, a week off, a trip to Camberwell to meet Old Scotch and then back home to meet St Kevin's. June will be big.
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Old Brighton (62) lost their first game in a close one at TH KING, beaten by St Kevin's (64). Uni Blues (102) came home hard and torched Collegians (64) in a rare win at the Trott. Uni Blacks (86) outlasted Fitzroy (57) under the spires and Old Scotch (94) was too strong for Old Melburnians (76).
Dimitri's Gladiators stayed unbeaten with a 119 point smashing of the Snowdogs at Toorak Park. The first quarter was an even affair early, with St Bernard's taking it up to the Red 'n' Blacks. The home team came in for the first change just 13 points ahead, but the the visitors could manage just 2.4 in the final three quarters while the ladder leaders added 17.20. Had the Xavs kicked straight, they might have won by 200 points.
Charlies Knott and Westcott were the best of a brilliant bunch, prompting seasoned observers to wonder about possibilities for their promotion. Ben Moyle and Billy Kennedy were excellent tall targets and the experience of Angus Sheedy and Joe Tobin ensured that the Snowdogs would remain hungry. Fraser Pearce continues to find form, while Senator Ted Kennedy remains a vital forward cog.
Next opponent Old Scotch lowered its colours to Old Melburnians in a shock loss in R8, so the expectation is that will bounce back to form after the break. The Cards, however, will meet a reigning premier that is in no mood for mercy,
Old Xaverians fell to Westbourne as the visitors put their noses in front and inched away from a determined home team. Mel Clarke and Amy Benifer continued their fine form, but the Xavs atrocious goalkicking cost them the chance to win the game.
The WOX Twos returned to the winners' circle with a 26 point win over Westbourne. Jess Slupecki was named best and Rachael Cox booted four for the Red 'n' Blacks in the win. The WOX trailed early, had a tense battle until the final term when they kicked away.
The Red 'n' Blacks came from 14 points down in a tough, low-scoring affair to snatch the win over St Kevin's. Xavs trailed after one, were level at the half, but had falled behind in the third. However, they booted 3.3 to 4 points in the final term, taking home the four premiership points. Chopper Handley's team are now second on the ladder, a game clear of third-placed Old scotch, whom it hasn't yet played.
Old Melburnians upset the Xavs with a six point win at Stradbroke Park. The X-Men are a game and percentage out of fourth, but its next two are against the cellar dwellers, both excellent opportunities to stake their claim.
Old Xaverians inflicted another massive defeat on MHSOB at Stradbroke with a power display. Sam Turner booted seven and Harry Burgess four as the Xavs ran up a cricket score against the visitors. The win was a solid reward for a team that regularly does battle with the first and second U19 teams of other clubs.
Old Xaverians had a solid hitout under lights, eventually overcoming a determined Uni Blues at Toorak Park. Xavs had plenty of opposition early from the visitors, but tightened up before giving the opposition a hard fourth quarter punch. The win leaves them two games clear of Blues, St Kevin's and Old Scotch. First up after the break is fifth-placed Old Brighton.
Will Mantesso booted six as the Menages beat Collegians by 66 points at Basil Reserve. The Lakers put up. afair showing in the first term and while managing to post a respectable score, simply could not hold the Xavs. The unbeaten Xavs are two games and percentage clear but must travel to meet Willy after the break.
The Emerald Hose played Xavs' only road game for the round and touched up the Wellers by 78 points. Sean 'Stinger' Stanley was best and Josh Lyon tipped in another five goals as the Reptiles shut down the Two Blues after quarter time. The Diles are unbeaten at the break, a game clear of Carey, whom they will not meet before the finals.
The Red 'n' Blacks shot down the Eagles, who were in second posioion on the ladder courtesy of earlier regrading. Frankie O'Callaghan and PK Wrigley booted five apiece as the X-Men split goals between sixteen players. At 7-2, the Xavs boast a percentage of 970%.
