Not easy at Brindisi - but SKOB don't let it slip
A barnstorming second half blitz from SKOB has seen them come back from a 21 point deficit at the main break to run over a gallant St Bedes at Brindisi St this afternoon.
In excellent conditions despite rain overnight and in the morning, St.Kevins had to dig deep to edge their way back into the game after the home side gave them a huge fright early.
St. Bedes are a tough unit to beat - especially at home - and this proved to be the case as they got the better of SKOB in the first half. With better use of the ball and greater knowledge of how to play the tight confines of Brindisi, St.Bedes had 5 of the first 6 goals on the board and a huge upset was looming. Despite SKOB coming back with a couple of late ones, St. Bedes were able to find a steadying goal and took a big lead into the change rooms. The lead at half time was 21 points and at that point the SKOB brains trust knew they were in for a serious challenge.
Two quick goals to start the third term was just the tonic for SKOB as they launched their fightback. The intensity and focus of the players clearly lifted after a solid reset during the half time break and although St.Bedes were able to hit the scoreboard - SKOB were hitting it harder and by the time the belll went to signal 3/4 time scores were level at 54 apiece.
At three quarter time - the coaches pleaded for one more big effort to bring the game home, but it was St Bedes that struck first and without some key forwards for SKOB it looked like they may not be able to get enough value for their forward 50 entries.
But fear not as Billy Kanakis bobbed up for two goals and Shaun Kennedy made up for an earlier miss by kicking the go-ahead goal, then Henry Parkes put the margin out more than the game deserved with another goal after the siren to make it 14 points. Mitch Brown was hugely influential in a big last quarter, whilst Sam Critchley was solid all day for SKOB.
Around the grounds, Collegians suffered their first defeat at the hands of Old Xavs, which leaves SKOB as the only undefeated side in the competition and it sets up a tantalising fixture this week when they travel to Collegians for a top of the table clash.
St Kevins OB 11.16.82
St Bedes Mentone 9.14-68
In other results, the SKOB Reserves came back from being 5 goals down at half time to win 91 to 56 against St.Bedes whilst there were wins for SKOB Green and the Saints Gold team.
