Seniors - Disappoint De La As Blues Hold On By Two Points
For the second time this year, University Blues have defeated De La Salle in a nail-biter. Last time some final quarter heroics from Dave Paton saw the Blues get over the line, whereas today a team effort from the Blues saw them get home by 2 points. The game was very similar to last week as the Blues played a great first half but weren't rewarded on the scoreboard. George de Crespigny kicked 2 in the first quarter and Mark Paterson, Jeremy Mugavin and Ben McConnell were combing well through the middle. Again, a third quarter lapse from the Blues looked to have cost them the game. Luckily, the Blues had learnt their lesson and hung on to go in at 3 quarter time 13 points in arrears but feeling confident. De La Salle, who had run the ball well all day, looked tired compared to a vibrant Blues outfit who continually pushed forward and pressured their opponents. De Crespigny kicked his third and Captain Andrew Lowcock and Sam Chadwick played great final quarters and saw the Blues over the line. McConnell played a solid game all day and won the UCLA t-shirt for his efforts.
University Blues: 9 - 14 - 68
De La Salle: 9 - 12 - 66
Best: 
B.McConnell, A.Austin, J.Mugavin, S.Chadwick, M.Paterson, G.de Crespigny, D.Nicholson
Goals: G.de Crespigny 3, A.Lowcock 2, J.Mugavin 1, M.Paterson 1, D.Paton 1, P.Hayes 1
Reserves - Defeat De La In A Day On The Main
The Uni Blues Twos arrived at the Main Oval on a gorgeous winter's day with 9 different players from the previous week. The changes mattered not as the slick and professional team went onto the ground, relentlessly attacked the ball and scored freely to defeat De La Salle by 84 points. Mick Steinbach came back from injury and Alex Suvoltos came back from the seniors, and the pair both kicked 3 goals in a great running effort. Hamish Rankin is a solid mid-fielder who continually does the team things like shepherds and tackles, and he is admired by his team-mates for his style. Jono Vickers-Willis kicked 2 and was unlucky to not be in the best in his return from injury while Ben Millard also kicked two and continued his good form. It would be remiss not to mention veteran Quinton Gleeson who won plenty of the ball and peppered the goals with 6 shots (see below to do the Maths). Comedy aside, Gleeson was also a great contributor and is a valuable addition to the side. The win sees the Blues Twos retain top spot in their run at the 2009 Premiership.
University Blues: 17 - 18 - 120
De La Salle: 5 - 6 - 36
Best: M.Steinbach, A.Suvoltos, H.Rankin, B.Mugavin, B.Millard, D.Brady
Goals: A.Suvoltos 3, M.Steinbach 3, J.Vickers-Willis 2, T.Pryde 2, B.Millard 2, T.Stainforth 1, T.Muhlebach 1, N.Hardie-Grant 1, Q.Gleeson 1, T.Girdwood 1
Under 19 - Smack Scotch In Charge For Final Four
Fifth-placed Uni Blues took on third-placed Old Scotch on the Crawford Oval in a make-or-break game for Uni. This was the sort of game that the Blues need to win if they are to be a threat in this year's finals series. Thankfully, the Blues demonstrated that they are the real deal with a 28 point win. More impressive was the way they went about their work. A consistent four-quarter effort saw the Blues beat Scotch each quarter with an excellent team effort. Full-forward (in the Tony Lockett mould), Will Hartnell, kicked another 5, backing up from his 7 last week. Hartnell has been in great form and is providing a brilliant target for his mid-fielders. Hugh Vickers-Willis had at least 40 possessions as he marked and collected the ball all over the ground. Jack Townley and Ben McClure worked very hard and are important players in this Under 19 team which is going from strength to strength at the right time of year. With two games remaining, it is going to be an interesting finish for the Unders as they aim for the top four.
University Blues: 12 - 10 - 82
Old Scotch: 8 - 6 - 54
Best: H.Vickers-Willis, J.Townley, W.Hartnell, B.McClure, L.Butler, O.Robertson
Goals: W.Hartnell 5, T.Day 3, B.McClure 2, A.Selleck 1, J.Townley 1
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