In the previous round a late charge from SKOB Seniors saw them come up just short against Uni Blues. This week they timed their run better and ran over the top of ladder leaders Old Scotch in a thrilling win at TH King. Elsewhere the Ressies went down, Academy receive a forfeit, Saints Gold win, Blues defeated, Green Machine supreme, Premier 19s win again, while Div 2's get pipped and Div4 went under to the Unicorns and a drastically undermanned Masters felt the pain at Marcellin.
We start at home on Saturday with the Seniors taking on the Cardinals from Old Scotch who have set the standard this year and came into the round as ladder leaders. SKOB were coming off a 3 game run of defeats which saw them bundled out of the top four for the first time in a while and finding themselves right up against it - entering the match at TH King as underdogs. The Cardinals kicked with the aid of the breeze in the first quarter and made good use of it kicking 4 goals to 1, but SKOB returned the favour in the second term and had things almost at par by the main break. Coach Lynch implored his players to lift another level in the third quarter and get to the last change within striking range. Scotch outscored 3 goals to 1 but SKOB would have turned for home as slight favorites and when Pat Kerr marked strongly and converted just two minutes in the hosts were looking the goods. But Scotch showed incredible resilience and dug their heels in for the next 15 minutes holding out many a SKOB surge - and the stakes were raised again when the ladder leaders kicked a goal to open the margin back out to 14 points with time running out. Mitch Wallis then fed a handpass to Sam Cameron who goaled and shortly after Luke Winter followed up from the boundary line to put SKOB within reach with enough time left. The ball went end to end a few times before a clever snap from Harry Wardlaw put SKOB in front, then Shaun Kennedy marked strongly on the wing and his pass found Phil Edgar inside 50 who calmly slotted the sealing goal and SKOB ran out winners by 11 points, putting them back into the top 4 as the competition heats right up at the halfway point of the season. Best for SKOB Seniors were Sam Tucker, Hamish Reimers - who put in a huge effort in the ruck, Pat Kerr and Jack Darmody up forward (both with 2 goals), also Sam Cameron and Mitch Wallis who teamed up to kickstart the final surge to the line in the last quarter. Next week is another massive encounter against Old Xavs at St Kevins College. Book here for the pre-match lunch. In the
Reserves game earlier, SKOB faced a consistently strong Old Scotch outfit and the game was a cracker. With share of play even for most of the match, the SKOB boys had their chance in the third term to cash in on the breeze and the ascendancy. Unfortunately a return of 2.5 despite multiple chances was never going to cut the mustard and the Cardinals ran away with it in the last. Only one fewer scoring shot probably belied the final 26 point margin as SKOB had given it a red hot go, but alas their conversion left them wanting. Ben Mansfield, Angus McQuie, Ethan Bowden, Angus Hart, Pat Croagh and Lucas Mascia were all handy for Coach Clough's team. At the halfway point the Ressies are in a classic fifth spot. They've beaten all the team's below them but none of the teams above. They'll need to take a big scalp or two in the run home to make a spot in the top four a reality.
The Academy team had an extra week off courtesy of a forfeit from OM's who may already be feeling the pinch of the mid season Euro exodus about to hit all Clubs. It's going to be an interesting next month or two of matches as the depth is tested across the competition. Thanks to Sarah Withers for her photos of the action at TH King.
Over in Parkville it was a triple header for the Saints up against the might of West Brunswick. The Magpies have solid numbers across their teams and have always been very competitive. That the Saints were able to walk away from McAlister with 2 out of 3 wins was a great result. In the main game, the Saints Gold fought out a tight tussle in tricky conditions with the wind causing havoc and making scoring a very hard task. Coach Tommy knew it was going to take a four quarter effort and he got that from his players - in particular Bree Doyle, Emily Condon, Elysia Burvill, Margaret Gleeson, Sarah Betts and Chloe Russell. The win keeps the Saints in touch with the ladder leaders. Alas for the Blues, they again found the going tough and couldn't get past the Maggies. Ruby Atkin, Remi Fiorentini, Jess Mounas, Alex Bland, Molly Howard and Olivia Slifirski all tried hard for Coach Strauss who has been buoyed by the team's consistent efforts all season - despite their final results. The team is resolute and give 100% every week but have been hit by injury and unavailability most weeks. For the Green Machine, they had a terrific win against West Brunswick. Taking their chances when they were offered was the difference in a very close contest. Two goals into the breeze in the first quarter set up the match and some desperate defence in the third - as the Mags threw everything at them - was the main reason they got over the line. The floodgates opened in the last quarter with the wind at their back as they ran out easy winners in the finish. Georgia Hinton had a commanding game and Charlie Lupson owned the footy throughout. Jess Bloom was super steady as was Steph Taylor, whilst the two rucks, Gergie McEwen and Sofia Zielonka dominated the clearances and gave their teammates first use of the ball.
With so much footy on each week it's been hard to cover all teams, but the Under 19s Premier results have not gone unnoticed at SKOB. They are the form team - having won eight games on the trot after their opening round loss - taking on all comers despite pushing a number of players up into the Senior ranks. On Saturday they defeated another top four apirant, Caulfield Grammarians, at Caulfield Grammar school. The wind played havoc with their shooting at goal with a return of 7.18 overall. But it was enough to get the job done and see them remain two games clear at the top of the table after 9 rounds. Best for SKOB were Seb Duffy, Pat Carracher, Jack Palmer, Cooper Chaffey, Oli Gill and Harry Trotter. In a rare fixturing favour, the Div 2s were able to play at TH King before the Ressies and Seniors and they put in a huge effort only to go down on the last kick of the day to Uni Blacks. Best players were Nick Dynan, Aidan Leiner, Jeremy Bourke, Max Demathieu, Connor Joyce and Angus Kerr. Thanks to James Andriske for some pictures taken at the game (see below). In Div 4 our lads got blown away early by MHSOB but fought right to the end. The Unicorns played their tight ground to perfection and kept SKOB at bay for most of the afternoon. Best for Coach Tommy Kerr were the ever reliable Pat Shaw, Luke Augerinos, Noah Pearce, Joey Kerr, Will Rawlings and Pete Marinos.
Finally, on Sunday the Masters went out to Marcellin and found the going tough with the home side proving too strong all day. Light on for numbers, Coach SOC was proud of his team's efforts, fighting it out right to the finish.
Past Players Day Lunch at the School - June 24
All roads head back to the school for the ultimate rivalry game - SKOB v Old Xavs. Do not miss the pre-game lunch before the massive clash at Moonga Rd
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