Just enough left in the Behnk

SKOB Seniors put a healthy deposit on the scoreboard early, and they needed most of it, as Old Scotch came with a late run to make things interesting in the main game at TH King on Saturday. Fortunately for SKOB they had enough in the bank - courtesy of Jack Behnk - who had a stunning first quarter with 3 of his side's 8 goals - to cover their late fade out. It capped a great day for fans at the King who were treated to three wins from three with the Ressies hanging on in a thriller over Old Scotch after the Green Machine put paid to Monash Blues in the opener. Over at McAlister Oval in Parkville, the Saints Gold came back for a gritty win over the Maggies after the locals had the better of the Saints Blue in the curtain raiser. Our Under 19s again returned a mixed bag - this time it was the SD3’s who delivered the goods with a win over the Krushers. The SD1’s just couldn’t get it done at Haileybury, whilst the Premier team had another late term lapse and gave up the 4 points to Old Scotch at Camberwell. Our Stingers delivered Uni Blacks their first loss of the season with a huge win out at Crawford Oval to make it three on the bounce for the Stingers who have hit their straps. The SKOB Dogs found Fitzroy too good on the day, and in Sunday’s fixture, the Academy went down in a thriller to AJAX. A half dozen wins for SKOB on the weekend with the most telling for the Senior Men’s and Women’s who both jumped into the four on the back of their victories.

With a few handy ins to offset a few handy outs this week, the Seniors approached the game at home against Old Scotch with some confidence - despite the Cardinals solid record against SKOB in recent times. The Ressies had just scraped home for a win in front of the packed room for Ladies Lunch - and as much as I’m sure no-one saw it - would have given those fans the same confidence that the Seniors could double the dose in the main game. They didn’t need to wait long as SKOB leapt out of the blocks, led by a scintillating first few minutes from Jack Behnk. Back into the lineup he had three goals and set up another couple before the quarter was even half over. The early blitz from SKOB had the Cardinals on the back foot from the get-go and at quarter time Coach Lynch would have been ecstatic - not just with the scoreboard that read 8 goals to 1 - but with the way SKOB had attacked the contest, were controlling the ball and completely shut out their opposition. Scotch hit back early in the second but SKOB were able to just about match the visitors output and they hit the sheds having spent just 4 behinds from their quarter time lead. The next quarter was much the same as Scotch were able to strike but SKOB had just as many answers. A running goal from Matt Canning stretched the margin out to 47 before Scotch scored the last of the term and SKOB went for a jelly snake with the margin changed only by a behind from their quarter time break.

So, after two pretty even quarters, with darkness descending, and the teams trading a goal apiece for the first 15 minutes of the last, SKOB were 42 points to the good and many fans were simply counting down the clock before the Tim Arnold Bar would be open for rejuvenating convivials. No one mentioned this to the visitors though, who proved they were far from done. The Cardinals finally found their groove, whittling the margin down slowly, but surely, as the clock on the scoreboard hit 25 minutes and promptly stopped - yoinks! Two more late ones and the game was suddenly back on. SKOB lifted just enough to park the ball forward, and chewed up the last few seconds to record a 10 point win. A lot tighter than perhaps it should have been, but SKOB’s terrific first term was where the game was won, and they had enough in the account to bank the precious 4 points. The win allowing them to jump back into the bold print on the A Section ladder. Jack Benhk's 5 goals were the difference, whilst Jacob Koschitzke chipped in for 4 snags in his best outing for SKOB to date. They were well supported by the efforts of the ever consistent Jack Mahony, Billy Coates, Sam Tucker and Andrew Mathieson. 

Having put together 4 wins on the trot, SKOB now hit the road for another fortnight of away games (with the long weekend wedged in between), meaning they don’t return to the King until deepest darkest June when they host the reigning premiers in a game that is sure to finish after dark… 

Yanni's Reserves Review

SKOBs Hold Firm in TH King Thriller

SKOBs arrived at the familiar comforts of TH King Oval, where the atmosphere was lively with the love and support of the fans. The boys were eager to continue the momentum and success they had built in the previous week.

The game kicked off with the opposition coming out strong in the first five minutes, but with great tackling pressure and quick ball movement, the boys quickly took the game back on their terms. Forward-half entries were in abundance, which the boys took full advantage of, and it showed nicely on the scoreboard with goals from Thomas Williams, Dom Portelli, and Jack Ball.

The second term commenced with the SKOBs continuing where they left off in the first quarter, with an early clearance leading to a goal by Dante Tomarchio. Not long after, the free-flowing game turned into a scrappy affair. The attack on the footy was evident on both sides; however, the SKOBs back six were pivotal in halting the majority of Scotch’s forward-half play. William Tanner decided to take to the skies, taking an absolute hanger which was definitely a highlight for fans, spectators, and reporters alike. The SKOBs maintained a three-goal lead heading into the half-time break.

The second half began with an early snag by Lucas May, but the SKOBs boys quickly found themselves on the back foot, with Scotch gaining all the little one-percenters. It seemed like the opposition had all the momentum, and the game became a spicy affair both on the scoreboard and on the field. The SKOBs showed their heart and resilience as they managed to maintain their lead thanks to a crucial goal late in the quarter.

The last quarter was upon us, and in the first ten minutes the SKOBs came out with great ball movement and quick play, setting the boys up for two early goals in the quarter and securing a comfortable 17-point lead. However, the opposition had other ideas as they pegged back the lead, making it a nervy final 12 minutes. The SKOBs, who showed great guts and determination, claimed the four points in an absolute classic game. Coach Harry Long sang their praises in the rooms following the game as the boys now look forward to an intriguing clash with Uni Blacks at Melbourne University Oval on Saturday.

Seniors	17.15.117	Defeated	Old Scotch	16.11.107
Reserves	8.5.53	Defeated	Old Scotch	7.6.48
Saints Gold	4.2.26	Defeated	West Brunswick	3.3.21
Saints Blue	4.2.26	Lost to	West Brunswick	6.5.41
Saints Green	7.13.55	Defeated	Monash Blues	0.0.0
U19 Premier	7.15.57	Lost to	Old Scotch	9.9.63
U19 SD1	5.9.39	Lost to	Old Hailey	7.10.52
U19 SD2	20.13.133	Defeated	Oakleigh	14.11.95
Academy	7.9.51	Lost to	AJAX	8.7.55
Stingers	14.6.90	Defeated	Uni Blacks	3.8.26
SKOB Dogs	3.6.24	Lost to	Fitzroy	10.18.78