Seniors - Win windy crunch game, move into the 4

An incredibly important game for Uni Blues saw the Seniors respond in wet and windy conditions. Old Brighton were in a similar position to Blues and the 4 points were crucial for making the top four. A tight tussle in the first half saw Brighton lead early on their home ground, but the Blues played well in the third to go into the final break 16 points in front. A long and tense last quarter saw the Blues prevail by 9 points after defending stoutly. Mark Paterson played a brilliant 100th game for the Uni Blues and won the UCLA t-shirt for his efforts. Andrew Lowcock worked hard in the forward line for 2 goals. Matt Torney and David Wood were excellent in defence while Pat Hayes kicked 3 including 2 critical final quarter goals. Torney provided excellent run and rebound along with fellow defenders Mark McLeod and Al Neville. It was a solid four-quarter, team effort that could have seen any number of players in the best.

University Blues:  8 - 8 - 56

Old Brighton:      6 - 11 - 47

Best: M.Paterson, M.Torney, S.Roach, D.Wood, P.Hayes, A.Lowcock, D.Nicholson, A.Neville

Goals: P.Hayes 3, A.Lowcock 2, G.de Crespigny 1, P.Smith 1, C.Shaw

Reserves - Beat Beach Boys, go top

Top spot was on the line in the early game and the Uni Blues Twos demonstrated that they deserved to be there. After a disappointing effort in the first half last week, the Blues made amends with a far better effort early in the game. Driven by a hard-working midfield of Tom Stainforth, Hamish Rankin, Isaac Orr and Alex Suvoltos, the Blues got out to an early lead and were never headed. The pressure was on Old Brighton all over the ground, especially in defence where Al Austin and Ben Millard did not give a millimetre to the Old Brighton forwards. A measured speech by Captain Suvoltos at half-time saw the Blues not get ahead of themselves and they continued to work hard, making the third quarter the most rewarding. A 32 point win in a low-scoring game showed that the Blues were rewarded for a great 4 quarter effort. Stainforth kicked 2 while 6 others kicked singles.

University Blues:  8 - 6 -54

Old Brighton:       3 - 4 - 22

Best: T.Stainforth, A.Austin, H.Rankin, T.Girdwood, N.Hardie-Grant, B.Millard

Goals: T.Stainforth 2, M.Steinbach 1, L.Quin 1, I.Orr 1, N.Hardie-Grant 1, T.Girdwood 1, S.Balodis 1

Club XVIII - Beat (previously) undefeated Old Xavs

The windiest ground in Melbourne lived up to its billing as the Uni Blues Clubbies took on undefeated Old Xaverians at Elsternwick Park. I should say previously undefeated as the Blues Clubbies, under the tutelage of Supercoach Tom Granleese, enjoyed a 10 goal win in difficult circumstances. Xavier coach, Matt O'Hanlon, admitted that he was outcoached by Supercoach as the Blues piled on the pressure, attacked the ball and played the conditions well. Will McLachlan ran all over the ground, winning contests and roving his own ruckwork, while Mick Thomas directed play from half-back. Diarmid Hayter, Chris Pyke and Ollie Lade regularly got first hands on the ball through the middle giving good service to Jared Crawford (2 goals) up forward. New player, John Watts, kicked 3 late goals, demonstrating that he could be a good Clubbies player in the future. It was a solid team effort that helps to build momentum into the pointy end of the season.

University Blues:   13 -5 - 83

Old Xaverians (2): 3 - 5 - 23

Best: W.McLachlan, M.Thomas, D.Hayter, C.Pyke, J.Crawford, O.Lade

Goals: J.Watts 3, J.Crawford 2, H.el-Fahkri 1, D.Hayter 1, D.Marshall 1, T.McCredie 1, T.McKinley 1, C.Pyke 1, C.Thomson 1, Ni.Freeman 1

Under 19 - Beat Blacks on the Uni Main in the Varsity derby

University Blacks welcomed the Uni Blues Under 19s to the Uni Oval. In the corresponding fixture earlier this season, Blues won with a kick after the siren. But despite having to head to the away rooms, Blues Unders won relatively comfortable by 25 points. In an important game for bragging rights on campus, Blues dealt with the windy conditions better. Angus Nice continued his great form with a best on ground display, while Will Hartnell played well up forward with 3 goals. Previous game hero Jack Townley also kicked 3, rubbing salt into the Blacks wounds. Jack Maxwell and Tom Maddocks also played excellent games. With two wins on the trot, the Unders are building some great momentum and feeling in the run to September.

University Blues:     11 - 14 - 80

University Blacks:    8 - 7 - 55

Best: A.Nice, J.Maxwell, T.Maddocks, W.Hartnell, F.Bradley, T.Day

Goals: W.Hartnell 3, J.Townley 3, B.McLure 2, T.Foott 1, J.Wooley 1, J.Maxwell 1