The glorious sunshine cast some lengthy shadows over the picture-perfect Main Oval but the result for University Blues did not match the picturesque scene. Put simply, the Blues were beaten by a better and more-focused opposition. De La Salle came to get the four points and this showed in their ruthless attitude. The game began evenly with both team kicking three goals in the first term. Sam Chadwick was seeing a lot of the ball, while Mick Monteith was showing a bit of dash and composure in his first game. The second quarter saw De La Salle lift their efforts and take the game away from the Blues. Although they only scored three more goals, they held the Blues to two behinds to take control of proceedings. Mark McLeod was working hard in defense to stem the flow but could not stop the fast ball movement of De La Salle. At the half-time break the Blues were down by 23 points. As supporters enjoyed a delicious home-made sausage roll, sushi, chocolate cake and cup of tea in the Pavvy (for only $5!), players from both sides prepared to go back into battle for what could prove to be a season-defining second half. Blues lifted their efforts in the premiership quarter with Paul Butko running well through the middle. But De La Salle had all of the answers with more numbers around the ball, better attack when the ball was in dispute and better run. The deficit had extended to 30 points as the siren sounded signaling the completion of the third quarter. Pat Hayes was thrown forward to give the Blues a spark in the last quarter and he responded with two early goals to give the Blues players and supporters some hope. But De La Salle were too well coached and did not let their lead slip away running out 27 point winners. Chadwick finished with three goals in a solid display up forward while Al Austin fisted with his usual style. The loss leaves the Blues with more losses than wins in their 2010 campaign. The solution to this problem, as decided by the post match review, is for players to spend more time on the training track. The proof will be in the pudding over the next few weeks.

University Blues:  9 - 10 - 64

De La Salle:        13 – 13 - 91

Best: M.McLeod, S.Chadwick, P.Hayes, A.Austin, P.Butko, M.Monteith

Goals: S.Chadwick 3, P.Hayes 2, P.Butko 1, T.Hunt 1, M.Torney 1, A.Lowcock 1

Reserves – Switch off and get beaten at the death

A very disappointed Uni Blues Twos side walked off their home ground after being beaten by less than a goal by a committed De La Salle outfit. It was a game that players felt they had lost rather than being beaten but this makes no difference to the outcome. The Blues started well, kicking four goals to two in the first quarter. Pat Smith was presenting well across half-forward and Tom Stainforth ran, as usual, with his indomitable spirit. Uni Blues were quietly confident as they went into the first break with a 15 point lead. They extended the lead during the second quarter with Tom Girdwood and James Van De Pol leading the way through the middle of the ground. Tristan Maddocks was also collecting a bit of the ball and worked very hard to hit a target. At the main break the Mighty Uni Blues Twos lead the game by 21 points. Things went badly for the Blues after the main break. Full-forward Jack Townley had gone down after a sniper on the grassy knoll shot out his hamstring and the Blues were struggling to find an avenue to goal. Meanwhile, De La Salle were getting their running game going and were getting more and more confident as the Blues turned the ball over continually. At the last break, De La Salle were confident of a comeback as they were only down by nine points. Ben Millard was his usual professional and dependable self in the backline as he held his main to nothing then turned defence into attack with his accurate kicking. Tom Foott was rucking well and things were looking good for the Blues when Girdwood kicked a nice goal which looked to have sealed the win. Unfortunately, the Blues then decided that 90 minutes was enough to play of the 100 minute game. De La banged on three late goals to steal the lead and hold onto a three point win. Two losses on the trot from the Blues Twos and the quiet confidence that the team had three weeks ago is slowly ebbing away. They head out to Marcellin next Saturday and will look to get back onto the winners’ list in a big way.

University Blues: 9 – 12 - 66

De La Salle:       10 – 9 - 69

Best: T.Stainforth, T.Girdwood, T.Maddocks, J.Van De Pol, B.Millard, T.Foott

Goals: P.Smith 2, B.Laidlaw 1, B.Merriman 1, S.Balodis 1, B.Millard 1, T.Stainforth 1, T.Girdwood 1, N.Taylor 1

Thirds – Give opponents 5 goal start but still run them down

Coach Baumgartner took the week off to head up to Queensland to see Supercoach Granleese and get some tips. Unfortunately Boomer’s holiday coincided with many players also being away and an under-manned Tertiary Team took to Crawford Oval to take on fellow top four side, De La Salle. The Blues started poorly as the midfield were in an attacking frame of mind. The first quarter saw the Blues continually attack the contest, not get the ball and leave themselves exposed as De La Salle won the ball then strolled forward. The Blues defense were under the pump but also could have acquitted themselves better. At quarter time, De La Salle led 5 goals to 1. Some minor adjustments at quarter time, and players went back into battle. Led by some superb defensive work from Ralph Wilson, the Blues gradually worked themselves back into the game. Billy Girdwood began to present well up forward while Andy Christensen went to a key defensive post and organised the defense well. In the second half of the quarter, things ‘clicked’ for the Blues as the went on a rampage kicking 5 goals to wrest back the lead. The midfield of Derry Hayter, Dave Marshall and Brad Hughes were on top and De La were now the team being exposed at stop plays and their defenders were under significant pressure. As the bell, literally a bell, sounded, the Blues were in the lead for the first time for the game. De La Salle responded strongly in the third quarter but the Blues re-grouped and then attacked again. Jared Crawford marked strongly up forward and kicked two for the day, while Victor Dislakis in his first game for the year was proving to be a real live-wire kicking four goals. At the final break, the Blues were in control. The last quarter was one historians will not worry themselves with, as both teams understood that the game was over. Each time De La Salle kicked a goal, the Blues steadied with a reply and were able to keep them at arm’s length. Billy Girdwood kicked his fifth for the day to keep him at the top of the goal-kicker’s table. The Blue won the day by 14 points.

University Blues: 15 – 13 - 103

De La Salle:        14 – 5 - 89

Best: R.Wilson, J.Crawford, D.Hayter, A.Christensen, D.Marshall, W.Girdwood

Goals: W.Girdwood 5, V.Dislakis 4, J.Crawford 2, J.Cubillo 1, R.Wilson 1, J.Eastman 1, J.Clifford 1

Under 19s – Sorry day out against the boys from Beauy

The less said about this game, the better. University Blues Under 19s were only able to score one goal in a disappointing game against Beaumaris. Their solitary goal came from the boot of Angus Nice in the first quarter meaning that for the last three quarters of the game, the Blues were only able to contribute behinds. Meanwhile the team up from Beaumaris managed to pile on 19 goals to run out 113 point winners. Beaumaris kicked 16 behinds for the day, only one point less than the Blues’ entire score. Brother of Fremantle’s Tom Ruffles, Tom Ruggles battle hard in the ruck while Al Dugdale was also good. Nice was best on ground for the Blues and Henry Hanlon continued his good form. Jordan Birch and Jake Taylor also battled well but it was not enough in a day that players would prefer to forget. Coach Embling will head back to the drawing board and look forward to the next game where the Blues will look to get their season back on track. All players will need to make some sacrifices over the next few weeks as exams and assignments will impact on the time available to the students. Go Blues.

University Blues:  1 – 11 - 17

Beaumaris:         19 – 16 - 130

Best: A.Nice, T.Ruggles, A.Dugdale, H.Hanlon, J.Birch, J.Taylor

Goals: A.Nice